Our History
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Founding and Inspiration
- Clean Start Africa was founded by Teresa Njoroge, who serves as its CEO. Her journey began with a personal tragedy; she was falsely accused, prosecuted, and sentenced for a crime she didn't commit. During her one-year sentence at Langata Women Maximum Security Prison in Nairobi, Kenya, she experienced firsthand the challenges faced by imprisoned women, many accompanied by their young children due to Kenyan law allowing children aged 0 to 4 years to stay with their mothers in prison.
- Teresa's experience highlighted the cycle of crime and poverty leading to high recidivism rates among women. After being exonerated and compensated by the government, she was inspired to dedicate her life to supporting imprisoned and formerly imprisoned women in their journey back to society.
Establishment and Mission
- In 2013, Teresa, along with her toddler, met with the Director of Rehabilitation and Welfare of the Kenya Prisons Service. This meeting marked the beginning of Clean Start Africa, the first organization led by formerly imprisoned women aimed at empowering them for reintegration into society.
- The mission of Clean Start Africa extends beyond providing support during incarceration; it focuses on equipping women with the skills and resources needed to break free from the cycle of poverty and crime, advocating for social justice reforms, and challenging the criminalization of poverty.
Impact and Advocacy
- Teresa Njoroge has been instrumental in advocating for the rights of children of imprisoned parents, youth, and women impacted by the criminal justice system. She has worked tirelessly to address the stigma, lack of economic opportunities, and the painful journey of reconciliation faced by women after prison.
- Clean Start Africa aims to bring about socio-economic transformation and social justice reforms in Kenya and across Africa. Teresa actively builds strategic partnerships with governments and private organizations to improve life outcomes for formerly imprisoned persons and challenge injustices within the criminal justice system.
Engagement and Support
- Clean Start Africa invites individuals to join their movement, donate, and subscribe to their newsletter for updates on activities and impact stories. They emphasize the importance of community engagement and support in achieving their goals.
- The organization is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and provides contact details for those interested in getting involved or seeking support.
