Our Programs
Torch Initiatives runs four programs across Kenya that promote plant-based living, strengthen food security, and foster compassion for animals. We currently work in Nairobi and Kilifi County.
School Outreach Program
This program nurtures a new generation of compassionate, environmentally conscious Kenyans. Through plant-based education, we encourage students to embrace a lifestyle that's kind to animals and sustainable for our environment.
Our School Outreach Program includes:
Plant-based cooking demonstrations
Climate education
Animal compassion lessons
We participate in the Thrive Africa Vegan School Lunch Campaign, an Africa-wide initiative organized by Thrive Africa and Thrive Philanthropy. We coordinate the campaign in Kenya, supporting schools in introducing plant-based meals and raising awareness about sustainable food choices.
Community Outreach Program
This program supports women and youth through practical projects that improve wellbeing and create income opportunities. As part of this work, we provide skills training and mentorship focused on sustainable livelihoods.
Activities like vegetable gardening help families grow their own food and generate income, while promoting better health and care for the environment. We also participate in local events to share information about plant-based diets and sustainable living.
Animal Welfare Education
We connect animal welfare with plant-based advocacy, drawing on African traditions of compassion and sustainable living.
Our traditional diets were largely plant-based, and many communities valued animals as part of the natural world. Today, factory farming threatens animals, the environment, and our cultural food systems. By reviving indigenous plant-based diets and promoting animal welfare, we protect both people and the planet.
Through partnerships with schools, women's groups, youth networks, and sanctuaries like Nikki Cat Sanctuary in Watamu, we raise awareness about the connection between animal welfare, human health, and plant-based diets. We show what compassionate care looks like and work to reduce factory farming while building harmony within communities.
As a trusted voice in the animal welfare space, we provide guidance on community engagement and awareness efforts that strengthen collaboration and inspire action across the broader movement.
Thrive Africa Vegan Restaurant Week
We participate in Thrive Africa Vegan Restaurant Week (TAVRW), an Africa-wide campaign organized by Thrive Africa and Thrive Philanthropy to increase accessibility to plant-based options and raise public awareness about factory farming and the benefits of plant-based diets.
Thrive Africa Vegan Restaurant Week is the world's first pan-Africa plant-based campaign, held simultaneously across multiple African countries. We coordinate the campaign in Kenya, recruiting and supporting restaurants, caterers, hotels, schools, and other establishments to replace factory farm items with plant-based menu options. We also offer training and large-scale public awareness initiatives.
In past campaigns, we've reached over 2 million Kenyans through our local efforts. The broader campaign runs across 35+ African countries, involving 40+ participating organizations, 100+ participating restaurants, and reaching over 5 million people continent-wide.
