Project location(s):
Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Bungoma, Kajiado, Lamu, Taita Taveta, Machakos, Isiolo, Garissa, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi, Nyandarua and Mombasa Counties
Project Overview
Youth First is a wellbeing and resilience-based empowerment program for learners aged 12 to 15 years. Evidence shows that the resilience-based approach improves mental health, physical health, and education outcomes of learners. The program was developed by WorldBeing and has been extensively tested for impact and continues to operate in India, Kenya and Rwanda.
In Kenya, Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya is implementing Youth First in collaboration with WorldBeing, the Ministry of Education, Teachers Service Commission (TSC), Ministry of Health, Centre for Mathematics, Science and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) and Kenya Primary School Head Teachers Association (KEPSHA).
The overarching principal of the program is that for true change to be achieved in learners’ education and social outcomes, the change must first start from within the learner. We are therefore implementing a model of instilling values and life skills, that focus on working from the inside out i.e. addressing inner change to create positive external results.
Youth First Kenya in summary
YFK pilot program in Tharaka Nithi County and Kajiado Counties between 2017 and 2019 involved 850 pupils and 45 teachers from 20 schools across the two counties.
YFK pilot program in Kilifi County in 2022 involved 485 pupils and 15 teachers from 6 schools from Kaloleni Sub County.
The YFK school curriculum that integrates inner well-being, growth mindset and social-emotional development for young people was officially approved by KICD in 2023.
In 2023, YFK rolled out in 640 schools across 16 counties, involving 84,821 learners (Class 8 and JS).
In 2024, scale up of YFK involving 1,499 schools across 6 Counties, reaching 99,256 learners (JS Grade 7).
In 2025, there was a further scale up of YFK to 2,926 schools across 10 Counties, reaching 148,482 learners (JS Grade 7).
In 2026, we look to continue with the scale up of YFK to 4,168 schools across 14 Counties, reaching 198,020 learners (JS Grade 7).
Implementing partner(s)
Funder(s)
