Unless the wellbeing of the family is prioritized in society, we will continue to see increasing numbers of vulnerable children. War, HIV/AIDS and poverty have contributed to the breakdown of family leaving millions of orphaned children. Many of the Local Experts we partner with find themselves in their roles because they simply respond to the needs in their communities: keeping families together and protecting the most vulnerable. Others have started community foster care programs to care for orphaned children in their community.

Imagine if every school in East Africa had several community members that tracked with students who needed help in the areas of family income, shelter, food, parenting, and mental and physical health. This would benefit the student, the teacher, and the family as well as transform the learning environment.