From a Conversation to a Movement

Founded in the year 2024 by Shawn Kamano who grew up in a slum in Nairobi. Raise A Man Initiative was born from a simple but important realization: the way we support and guide young people today shapes the kind of society we build tomorrow.

Across our communities, we saw young people navigating challenges that often go beyond what they can handle alone — mental health struggles, peer pressure, harmful gender norms, violence, limited life skills, unemployment, lack of positive role models and limited opportunities to discover and develop their potential.

We also recognized a gap in the spaces available for boys and young men to openly talk about their emotions, identity, relationships, responsibility and the pressures they experience while growing into adulthood.

This led to a question:

What if we intentionally created spaces where young people could learn, speak, heal, grow and lead?

That question became the foundation of Raise A Man Initiative.

Why “Raise A Man”?

The name reflects our belief that becoming a man is not simply about growing older.

It is about character.

It is about learning responsibility, developing emotional awareness, respecting others, building healthy relationships, understanding one's purpose and having the courage to make positive choices.

However, our vision extends beyond boys and men.

We believe that raising responsible men requires supportive families, empowered women and girls, healthy relationships, safe communities and opportunities for all young people.

That is why our work brings together young people, families, schools, communities, institutions and partners.

Our Journey

What began as a commitment to support and empower young people has grown into a broader community-focused initiative addressing the interconnected issues that influence their wellbeing and future.

Our work has developed around five key areas:

Health & Mental Wellbeing
Creating awareness, safe spaces and pathways to support.

Life Skills & Leadership Development
Equipping young people with practical skills, confidence and leadership capabilities.

Gender Equality & GBV Prevention
Challenging harmful norms and promoting respect, equality and healthy relationships.

Skills & Talent Development
Helping young people discover their abilities and connect them to opportunities.

Advocacy & Community Engagement
Giving young people and communities a platform to participate, speak up and drive positive change.

Our Belief

We believe every young person has potential.

Sometimes that potential is hidden behind difficult circumstances, lack of opportunity, emotional struggles or the absence of positive guidance.

Our role is to help create the conditions in which that potential can emerge.

We therefore focus not only on what young people lack, but on their strengths, abilities, aspirations and capacity to create change.

What We Are Building

We are building more than programs.

We are building safe spaces, confidence, healthy relationships, skills and opportunities, positive role models, youth leadership, and ultimately, we are building stronger and healthier communities.

Our Vision for the Future

We envision a society where young people are not defined by their challenges or circumstances, but are empowered to realize their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

We want to see a generation of young people who are:

Emotionally healthy. Skilled and confident. Purpose-driven. Respectful and responsible. Free from violence and harmful gender norms. Able to access meaningful opportunities. Ready to lead positive change.

The Journey Continues

Our story is still being written.

Every young person who finds the courage to seek help, every boy who learns that vulnerability is not weakness, every young woman who finds her voice, every community that chooses dialogue over violence, and every partner who invests in young people becomes part of this story.

We believe that change begins with how we raise, support and empower the next generation.

This is why we Raise A Man.

This is why we build communities.

This is why our work continues.