In the rural heart of Kwale County, Kenya, a quiet yet powerful transformation is unfolding, thanks to The Footprints Family, a charity founded by Burton’s own Kerry Watson, bringing education, healthcare, and hope to vulnerable children and families.
Founded by Burtonian Kerry Watson, The Footprints Family is reshaping the future for some of Kenya’s most vulnerable children and families. What began in 2007 as a personal mission following a life-changing volunteer trip has blossomed into a thriving community hub, offering education, healthcare, clean water, and hope to over 180 children and local families.
Kerry, who was herself adopted as a child, was inspired during a visit to the Shimba Hills of Kenya, where she witnessed firsthand the daily struggles of orphaned and impoverished children. Determined to make a difference, she returned to the UK with a powerful vision: to provide a safe, nurturing home and long-term opportunities for these children. By 2010, her dream became reality with the opening of “Mama Kerry’s Place” welcoming its first five children.
Today, The Footprints Family operates a full campus, including residential homes, classrooms, kitchens, and offices, all now fully solar-powered. In a region where reliable electricity and clean water are scarce, this sustainability milestone ensures that both children and staff have consistent access to vital resources, including a solar-powered water system that delivers clean water daily.
At the core of Footprints’ mission is education. Its primary school supports hundreds of children, with over a third receiving full sponsorship. Every child benefits from daily meals and access to free learning materials, tackling some of the biggest barriers to education in rural Kenya. But the charity isn’t stopping there.
With growing demand and a commitment to long-term impact, Footprints now plans to expand further by constructing three new classrooms to accommodate Junior Secondary School education. This development will allow children to continue learning in a supportive environment without having to return to overcrowded government schools.
Beyond education, Footprints is making a difference in the wider community. The charity has created more than 24 local jobs, employing teachers, caregivers, cooks, and support staff, each playing a vital role in the day-to-day running of the centre.
One of their most exciting future projects is a Community Health Hub, which will be staffed by former Footprints children who have earned diplomas in community healthcare. This new centre will provide crucial services including blood pressure checks, diabetes and HIV testing, antenatal care, and family planning, as well as women’s health education. It will also act as a training space to equip local families with skills that can lead to income-generating opportunities.
The long-term impact of Footprints is already clear. Two former residents, once orphaned children taken in by the charity, have now returned as full-time team members, living proof of the organisation’s powerful cycle of care, growth, and giving back.
As The Footprints Family continues to grow, its success is not just measured in numbers, but in lives transformed, hope restored, and futures rewritten.
Kerry Watson’s journey from Burton to Kenya stands as a shining example of what can be achieved with compassion, determination, and community support. The charity welcomes continued backing from sponsors, supporters, and volunteers both locally and internationally.
To learn more about The Footprints Family, or to get involved, visit: www.footprintsfamily.com
