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About Us

Every adolescent should not only survive — but thrive.

The Thriving Teens Foundation empowers adolescents and young people locally in Kenya and regionally in Africa, through Advocacy, Mentorship and Research.

Who we are Meet the team
Kenya & Africa
Thriving Teens Foundation team hugging at a community outreach tent
Who We Are

Health, rights, education & empowerment.

The Thriving Teens Foundation seeks to empower adolescents and young people locally in Kenya and regionally in Africa, through Advocacy, Mentorship, and Research. Our main focus is on Adolescent Health, Rights, Education, and Empowerment.

Our commitment is that every adolescent should not only survive the transition from childhood to adulthood but should thrive in it. We aim to promote their overall health and well-being, with special focus on their sexual and reproductive health and rights.

We create effective, customised solutions for the unique challenges faced by the African adolescent — who may also have other special needs. Our solutions are acceptable, accessible, affordable, sustainable and culture-sensitive, reflecting the diversity of Kenya and the African continent at large.

What we do
Thriving Teens team with community health partners at an outreach booth
Ages 10–19Adolescents & young people at every stage of the journey
Our Story

Born from the clinic, built with young people.

Thriving Teens Foundation was founded by Dr. Nelly Bosire, an obstetrician and gynaecologist with more than 17 years of practice and a passion for adolescent health. Her work drew her attention to a gap that is easy to miss: young people — especially those living with chronic medical conditions or special needs — often move from childhood into adulthood without the tailored information and support they need about their bodies, their health and their rights.

The Foundation brings together clinicians, researchers, public-health specialists, communicators and young people themselves to close that gap — through education and mentorship, evidence-based advocacy and locally relevant research.

The beginning

A doctor’s vision for adolescent health

A focus on safe, healthy transitions to adulthood — including for adolescents with HIV, sickle cell, diabetes, heart disease and disabilities.

Building the team

Experts around one table

A board and technical advisory spanning media, epidemiology, midwifery, paediatrics, cardiology, health systems and SRHR.

2024

Our training model

The Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health and Life Skills Training Model (First Edition) underpins our programmes.

Nov – Dec 2024

Groove & Grow comes to life

The Groove & Grow Retreat and the Groove n Grow Fiesta with CFK Africa bring the model to 17–19 year olds.

Today

A growing knowledge hub

Youth-friendly articles on HPV vaccination, immunisation, substance use, friendships and more.

Mission & Vision

Why we exist.

Our Vision

Ensuring adolescents in Africa thrive through the transition to adulthood.

Our Mission

We seek to improve the adolescence experience for girls and boys across Africa through advocacy, education, mentorship and research. We are committed to upholding the right of adolescents to health, safety, nutrition, education and protection from harmful practices. We seek to generate and use data to develop local solutions to adolescent challenges, especially in special circumstances, through working with partners with a common goal.

Our Values

What guides our work.

Six commitments that shape every workshop, conversation, partnership and study we take on.

Youth-centred

We work hand in hand with adolescents and young people, so solutions speak directly to their needs.

Inclusive

Every adolescent counts — including those living with chronic conditions, disabilities and special needs.

Evidence-informed

We generate and use data to design local solutions that work in real communities.

Rights-based

We uphold every adolescent’s right to health, safety, nutrition, education and protection from harmful practices.

Culture-sensitive

Our solutions are acceptable, accessible, affordable and sustainable — reflecting the diversity of Kenya and Africa.

Safe & ethical

Safeguarding, consent and confidentiality guide every programme, conversation and piece of research.

Our Approach

Three pillars. One goal.

Our team brings together a variety of skills — and works hand in hand with adolescents living through the transition — because together we craft solutions that speak directly to their needs.

Advocacy

Every adolescent has a right to a safe and healthy existence, with access to information and education, respect for their rights, and freedom from harmful cultural practices that threaten their development.

Our advocacy

Education & Mentorship

Adolescents transitioning into adulthood need education, mentorship and information in line with their evolving capacities, to empower them as decision-makers.

Our programmes

Research

Every adolescent faces unique challenges that require tailor-made solutions — evidence-informed, contextualised to their local situation and culturally acceptable.

Research centre
Leadership

Led by clinicians, researchers & communicators.

Meet the full team
Dr. Nelly Bosire
Founder

Dr. Nelly Bosire

Founder & Executive Director · MBChB, MMed (Obs/Gyn)

Dr. Nelly Bosire, MBChB, MMed (Obs/Gyn), is the Founder of Thriving Teens Foundation. She is a practising obstetrician and gynaecologist — a doctor for over 17 years — with a passion for adolescent health. She is an expert in health governance, policy and advocacy, and has worked as a technical consultant on legal and policy frameworks for SRHR for various local and multinational organisations. She is currently a Technical Outcome Lead for KEPRECON. She takes a keen interest in the transition of children with chronic medical conditions from childhood, through adolescence, to adulthood with regard to reproductive health. She is also a health columnist.

Victoria Rubadiri
A word from our Adolescent Health Champion
It is amazing how easy it is to take certain privileges for granted when you are oblivious to them, such as being able to take care of your own menstrual hygiene as an adolescent who may be differently abled.
Ms. Victoria RubadiriAdolescent Health Champion, Thriving Teens Foundation
Partners

Stronger together.

We implement programmes together with like-minded organisations focused on happy, healthy, safe and well-prepared adolescents.

Partner with us
Thriving Teens Foundation facilitators at the Groove n Grow Fiesta
Get Involved

Be part of the journey.

Whether you are a young person, parent, professional or partner — there is a place for you in this work.

Get involvedContact us