At Involve the Children, our mission is rooted in environmental conservation—but the impact of our work reaches far beyond tree planting. One of the most powerful things we’ve witnessed is how deeply our program transforms the lives and self-worth of the children we support.
We work with some of the most disadvantaged children in rural Kenya—children growing up in poverty, often in tattered uniforms, frequently missing school due to lack of food or fees. These are children who, through no fault of their own, start life already behind.
By giving these children a tangible role in environmental care—through tree planting and stewardship—we empower them. But more than that, we affirm them. Through our structured support, they begin to experience a version of childhood where they are not defined by lack, but by possibility.
Thanks to our points-based model, children receive direct financial support for their schooling. In many cases, this support is what keeps them in school. They no longer have to miss classes because lunch fees haven’t been paid. They don’t have to skip meals or feel excluded when others are eating.
We also regularly provide every child in our program with a quality, new school uniform and shoes—items that may seem basic, but which carry immense meaning in a setting where many cannot afford them. Suddenly, these children are no longer “the one with the torn uniform” or “the one sitting alone under a tree at lunchtime.” They are present, included, and confident.
This visible transformation often sparks something deeper. Teachers and caregivers have shared with us how our children begin to speak up more in class, participate in group activities, and carry themselves with a new sense of pride. That’s because their external transformation gives way to internal change—it tells them they matter, they belong, and they are worthy of opportunity.
Our work may begin with trees, but it grows into so much more. It restores dignity. It builds confidence. And it opens up a world of hope for children who, for too long, have been left behind.
