Program Background
Mahali Pa Usalama (MPU) was founded in 2008 by the late Archbishop Boniface Lele of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa. Established as a rescue centre, MPU serves as a temporary place of safety for children aged 4–17 years who have experienced neglect, physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual abuse, or who are at risk of drug and substance abuse, early and forced marriage, child trafficking, or child labour.
MPU is a program of the Catholic Archdiocese of Mombasa, implemented in partnership with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd. It remains a unique referral facility for the healing and recovery of abused children in the Coastal region, supported primarily by Caritas Germany, the Hilton Fund for Sisters, the Archdiocese of Mombasa, and contributions from the local community.
All admissions to the Centre are made through committal orders issued by the Children’s Court, in collaboration with the Department of Children Services and the Police.
Working closely with the Directorate of Children Services and partners such as the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), MPU continues to advance the Government’s Care Reform Strategy, which emphasizes family- and community-based care over institutionalization.
As a result of these efforts, 45 children were successfully reintegrated with their families in 2024. Three children were referred to other Charitable Children Institutions (CCIs) for continued psychosocial support, including one girl to Ananda Marga and two girls to Mji wa Salama. One boy was reunited with his family in Tanzania. By the end of 2024, the Centre had 13 girls in residence.
During their stay, children benefited from group and individual counselling, basic education, psychosocial support, life skills training, spiritual guidance, play therapy, and recreational activities. In addition, MPU staff and volunteers engaged in training and exchange programs focused on Care Reforms and safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
Key Achievements
- Close partnership with the Directorate of Children Services, the police and the judiciary to successfully investigated and managed 29 cases of child abuse.
- Successful partnership with AOSK, CRS and the Directorate of Children Services in capacity building of staff on the implementation of National Care Reform Strategy.
- Successful family tracing, reintegration and follow-up of 45 children back to their families.