Smiles of quiet confidence replaced anxiety at the joint graduation ceremony of the Elimu Familia Stawi (EFS) Program last week, as caregivers from Karima and Mijikenda Schools concluded 14 intensive sessions designed to stabilize and strengthen their families.
The celebration marked the successful closure of the EFS cycle, which equips parents with foundational skills often neglected in traditional education models: effective parenting, clear communication, basic nutrition, domestic hygiene, and essential financial literacy. The atmosphere, charged with palpable joy and pride, reflected a profound journey of internal change reported by the participants.
“The lessons have changed my daily life,” shared one graduating caregiver, articulating a common sentiment that the program had done more than just teach; it had fundamentally improved their household resource management and, critically, strengthened their relationships with their children. This transformation is the core metric of the EFS model: lasting change begins right at home.
The success of the program underscores a deep partnership between Elimu and its international supporters. Attending the ceremony were Elimu Founder, Nina Chung, and Mireille Lingg of the MaKly Parent & Child Centre in Basel, Switzerland, whose critical support has anchored the initiative. Their presence personalized the investment, allowing them to interact directly with the children and caregivers, witnessing firsthand the human results of their vision.
The EFS program, designed to be a powerful space for sharing and learning within the community, is proving that arming caregivers with knowledge is the most direct path to creating safer, more nurturing home environments. As the ceremony wrapped, the message was clear: by investing in the family unit, Elimu and its partners are setting a sustainable course for empowerment across Kilifi County.