Smiles for Change

Since our establishment in 1999, Florensis Kenya has been keen on collaborating with other businesses and local institutions to promote good practices that improve the livelihood of our employees and their communities. In order to promote access to education, we have partnered with 4 local schools and offer financial and resource support that enable quality education for their pupils, some of whom are dependents of our employees at the farm.

The rising concerns over the frequency of school dropouts, drug abuse among the youth, sexual and domestic violence targeted towards minors and time mismanagement is not only a national crisis, but also an issue which poses great risk to the safety, growth and development of the young population around our neighbouring communities. Therefore, Florensis Kenya sponsored its long-term partner ‘Sarakasi’ in an initiative themed ‘Smiles for Change’ to help address these subjects.

Sarakasi Trust is a local organization based in Nairobi, Kenya and founded in 2001. This performing arts development organization aims to facilitate, support and promote arts and culture for social and economic development of society. Through personal experiences, counseling and support from the institution, their professional educators and entertainers have the goal to mentor other vulnerable youth into responsible adults.

During 5 days just before the school holidays, Sarakasi visited the local schools that Florensis is in partnership with, to help raise awareness on topics to live safer and more responsibly. In total they reached 3.000 children and young adults, aged between 6 and 19.
Through sketches, comedy, and demonstrations the primary school pupils below 10 years were taught about topics like sexual abuse, personal talent and how to relate with different persons. Pupils over 10 years and the high school students went through classroom lectures, in addition to the aforementioned. They were trained on drug abuse, safe sex practices, talent growth and constructive use of leisure time.
All participants finalized with art and dance competitions where individual and group winners were awarded with learning and art materials. 

Following our sustainability policy, Florensis wants to undertake initiatives aimed at 6 specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With supporting Smiles for Change, empowering children and young adults to live safer and more responsibly, Florensis Kenya is happy to have contributed to 2 of these goals: Good Health and Well-Being for People (SDG 3) and Quality Education (SDG 4).