ACNA

Ruth founded the Association for Care Leavers Network in Africa (ACNA) in 2021 to develop a regional network for young people who have left care, motivated by her own experience as a care leaver. Care leavers are a marginalised group in society, with a lack of policies and programmes designed to support them. With this, they are left behind in terms of development. ACNA provides a platform for young care leavers to be heard, included, and advocate for their rights, while engaging with local and national governments to design policies and frameworks to support them, and decrease their vulnerability and marginalisation in society.

Ruth first attended the One Young World Summit in The Hague, 2018, and spoke on stage about the rights of children, the experience of care leavers in her region, and her advocacy work. Following the Summit, her activism gained national recognition, which allowed her to work with the Kenyan government and other stakeholders to create the National Care Reform Strategy. This strategy has been implemented and recognizes a child’s right to family. 

Ruth aided her peers in Zimbabwe to create their own country-wide network which now has over 3,000 members advocating for policy change. ACNA is providing technical support for the development of Zimbabwe’s first Leaving Care Bill. In Ethiopia and Senegal, ACNA has 200 young care leavers involved in decision-making processes for policy changes. In Uganda, ACNA through the Care Leavers Network launched the Girls Glow programme to advocate for access to reproductive health services for girls in care. ACNA provides mentorship opportunities to help develop the leadership skills of its members. In total, ACNA is active in 11 African countries and has more than 6,000 members, and will be hosting its first African Conference of Care Experienced Youth in May 2023.

“Being part of the One Young World Community means having the master key to the doors you otherwise would not go through. No other forum for young people is not only visible but where young people including the most marginalised are supported as One Young World. Following my speech at the Summit, more than 60 media houses wanted to interview me. In advocacy, you need this because when you are visible, the decision makers lean in.’’