OUR STORY
In 2009, a group of young adults from the UK travelled to Nakuru to volunteer in street child rehabilitation centres, orphanages, and schools. During their time there, one of the orphanages where they were volunteering was forced to close.
With limited social support available, the children faced the prospect of returning to unsafe environments where violence, drug use, and alcohol abuse were common.
Some of the children— as young as six years old—faced the very real possibility of life on the streets. Profoundly moved by the situation, the UK volunteers, still teenagers themselves, began raising funds among family and friends to purchase land and build what would become the first St Jerome’s Centre, opening in 2012.
In 2014, the home was relocated to Murunyu, on the outskirts of Nakuru. The construction project was run by an architectural charity. The St Jerome’s Centre has capacity to accommodate 40 children.
Today, in 2026, we have provided care for more than 100 children. Alongside our long-term care, we offer temporary accommodation for emergency cases and, wherever possible, work closely with families to support children in returning to a safe home environment.
We also help young people prepare for independence and continue to support them as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of early adulthood.
We provide community outreach support in the form of a ‘Feeding Programme’ at our local primary school, ensuring the neediest of children have at least one nutritious meal per day.
Everything we do is made possible by our committed, well-trained team on the ground. We employ seven Kenyan staff members, many of whom have been part of St Jerome’s Centre since our earliest years.
They are supported by a hands-on voluntary committee of seven, who remain in daily contact with staff and work collaboratively to guide the charity’s future growth and sustainability.