Day of the African Child 2026

The energy at Ruben Centre was electric as hundreds of children, staff, partners, and community members came together to celebrate the Day of the African Child. While the continent officially commemorates this day on 16th June, Ruben Centre hosted its vibrant celebration on 19th June 2026 by turning an important advocacy day into an unforgettable experience of learning, recognition, and joy.

This year’s continental theme, "Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa," hits close to home. For Ruben Centre, providing clean water and safe sanitation is not just a thematic goal, but a daily mission to restore dignity and health to the children and families of the Mukuru community. Historically rooted in honoring the courageous students of the 1976 Soweto Uprising who marched for quality education, this day remains a powerful reminder of our ongoing duty to protect, empower, and champion the rights of every child.

The festivities kicked off with a brilliant, high-energy procession. In a delightful twist that set a joyful tone for the day, Ruben Centre Director, Liz Mwangi, surprised everyone by marching alongside the students wearing an AEF Ruben Junior School uniform! The main program took place on the field, bringing together students, community members, and esteemed guests. We were deeply honored by the presence of our Chief Guest, Ms. Barnett Walema, the Sub-County Director of Education, who spoke passionately about the critical intersections of education, child protection, and creating environments where children can reach their full potential.

The morning showcased the incredible, diverse talents of our youth through:

  • Captivating Gymnastics: Heart-stopping acrobatics and displays from our talented students.

  • Dynamic Dance: High-spirited, energetic routines courtesy of the Cheza Cheza Foundation.

  • Creative Fashion Show: A stunning showcase of designs crafted and modeled by trainees from our Human Development Skills Training Programme (HDSTP).

  • Mascot Madness: The surprise appearance of colorful mascots brought pure magic to the field, sparking endless laughter, dancing, and unforgettable memories.

An event of this scale is only possible through collective solidarity and resource sharing. Ruben Centre extends its heartfelt gratitude to the incredible donors whose financial and material contributions directly funded our logistics, learner refreshments, and awards, as well as the peers who joined us on the ground. We are immensely grateful to the following organizations and individual champions whose direct sponsorship, donations, and resource support heavily anchored this celebration:

  • Edmund Rice Foundation

  • Jubilee Insurance

  • Tarpo

  • Br. Frank O'Shea

  • Margo Salmon

  • Frank Fitzgerald

  • Jeff Fitzgerald

We also want to thank our valued community and institutional peers who showed up on the field to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us, participate in the day’s advocacy, and celebrate the children of Mukuru:

  • Edmund Rice Catholic Education Centre

  • SHOFCO

  • CFK Africa

  • SIF

  • Mirror of Hope

The celebration shifted inward during the afternoon as staff, interns, volunteers, and Community Health Promoters (CHPs) gathered in the hall for a special recognition event. Director Liz Mwangi addressed the team, reminding everyone that the magic of Ruben Centre happens because of their daily dedication. She urged the team to stay anchored in the Centre’s core values as they continue to serve vulnerable children and families.The afternoon reached its peak with the highly anticipated Employee of the Year Awards, managed by the People and Culture Department. After a rigorous nomination and interview process across all departments, outstanding individuals were recognized for going above and beyond. After a highly competitive process, Kelvin was named the Overall Employee of the Year 2026 for his exemplary commitment, work ethic, and relentless dedication to the Ruben Centre mission.

The day wrapped up exactly how it started: in pure celebration, with the entire team hitting the dance floor to celebrate each other and the community they serve. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to building a society where every child is safe, healthy, heard, and given the opportunity to thrive. Thank you once more to everyone who stood with Ruben Centre.

Want to see the highlights in action? Head over to our social media pages to catch a recap of the performances, the procession, and the award ceremony!

By: Benson Kagwima

Edits: Gregory Barake

Ruben Centre