Our Vision
To see lives transformed and families restored as women once imprisoned are empowered to thrive, lead, and bring hope to their communities.
Our Mission
To help Kenyan women departing prison to transition back into society by empowering them with education, life skills training, and biblical discipleship, so that they can be reunited with their families and attain sustained independence.
Our Approach
Building Families For Tomorrow provides a means to bridge women coming out of prison with society as productive citizens. We work with Kenya Prison officials to identify women who have demonstrated a willingness to turn their lives around and are in need of a place to transition.
Prison officials recommend children in need of help while their mothers are in prison. Children are provided a safe home along with proper education, good nutrition, necessary healthcare and social support until their mothers are able to join the training program.
When released from prison, women live at the BFFT residential center for 6 months with her children. During this time, the women become proficient in a trade and learn basic business management. The children continue their education. After completion of the training program, BFFT helps the family to move into their own home by providing furnishings and household necessities in addition to the equipment and provisions required to establish the woman’s own small business. BFFT continues to provide monthly support of food, education and other items until she becomes financially independent in about 6 months. As a result, they are reintegrated with their communities and families.
What We Do
The work that Building Families For Tomorrow does in Kenya is truly transformative. By providing a structured and supportive transition for women who have been incarcerated, BFFT addresses a number of significant challenges, including:
1. Addressing Incarceration and Stigma: A large percentage of women in Kenyan prisons are innocent of the crimes for which they’ve been accused, yet they must remain incarcerated until their cases go to court— a process that can take months or even years. Other women are imprisoned due to crimes committed out of desperation or poverty. Both groups face the same social stigma upon release, with limited options for rebuilding their lives. BFFT works closely with prison officials to identify women who are motivated to turn their lives around. Through this partnership, BFFT offers them a chance at rehabilitation, helping them reintegrate into society with dignity and purpose.
2. Support for Children: While their mothers are in prison, many children are left in vulnerable situations. They may be scattered among relatives, some of whom may be unwilling or unable to care for them, or they may end up on the streets. BFFT provides a safe and stable environment for these children, ensuring they receive proper education, healthcare, and emotional support. This gives the children a sense of stability and hope, even during such a challenging time.
3. Rehabilitation and Skills Training: Upon their release, women are provided with a nurturing environment where they can learn valuable skills, including trade proficiency and basic business management. This training is designed to empower the women to become self-sufficient, enabling them to support themselves and their children. BFFT’s program helps women regain their independence and start their own small businesses, while continuing to nurture their personal development and growth.
4. Community and Family Reintegration: Once women complete the BFFT training program, the organization helps them set up a new home for their family by providing essential household items and support for starting a business. With continued assistance, including food, counseling, and other services for six months, women are empowered to re-enter their communities with a strong foundation. This support also helps them rebuild relationships with their families and communities, fostering a successful reintegration process.
5. Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Incarceration: Through its efforts, BFFT helps break the cycle of poverty, stigma, and incarceration. By empowering women and supporting their children, BFFT restores their dignity and provides them with the tools and resources necessary to rebuild their lives. Ultimately, the initiative strengthens families and communities, offering a pathway to healing, growth, and long-term empowerment.
In this way, Building Families For Tomorrow offers hope for a brighter future, transforming the lives of women and children who might otherwise be caught in a cycle of poverty and social marginalization.