Vision
A healthy society where every youthful voice counts.
Where we make a difference
Health and wellbeing
Advocating for mental health, sexual and reproductive health rights, and substance abuse prevention through education and campaigns.
About us
SYO is a national, youth-led, youth-serving organization founded in 2011
In 2011, a group of passionate young people came together with a simple but powerful belief: every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances.
That belief gave birth to Stretchers Youth Organization (SYO), a youth-led and membership-based organization dedicated to creating pathways for empowerment, inclusion, and positive change.
Over the years, we have walked alongside adolescents, young people, women, vulnerable youth, and marginalized communities, listening to their stories, understanding their challenges, and supporting their aspirations.
At SYO, we believe that potential exists everywhere, but opportunities do not. That is why we design and implement programs that respond to the real needs of both in-school and out-of-school adolescents and young people.
Our Projects
Explore our impactful projects designed to empower youth, women, and marginalized communities through tailored programs that foster growth, resilience, and opportunity for all.
Active · Safety for All Youth
Ride for Peace
Mobilizing Mombasa’s boda boda sector as champions of peaceful, safe, and secure elections ahead of 2027.
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April 2025 – March 2028
Sheria Ya Vijana
Young people in Nairobi and Kwale leading the green and digital transitions and taking part in policy design.
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Feb 2023 – Feb 2026 · European Union
Kujenga Amani Pamoja
Building peace together with young women and men along the coasts of Kenya, Tanzania, and Mozambique.
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Annual since 2019
The Girl Summit
An annual gathering, since 2019, for girls to confront socio-economic inequality and mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
Read more2021 – 2025 · Hivos
We Lead
Young women living with HIV in Mombasa leading on sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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Mombasa County
MYPOA
Mentoring youths for positive opportunities and advancements, with a stronger SRHR advocacy network in Mombasa.
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Mission
To enhance and promote a healthy, equal, just and inclusive environment for youths through capacity building, advocacy and information sharing for sustainable development.
Latest News
Health · 21 September 2026
Empowering Young Voices to Drive Local Health & Budget Advocacy
SYO joined a one-day advocacy and budget training at Coast General Referral Hospital in Chaani, hosted by NAYA with TAYO.
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Girl Summit · 21 September 2026
Bridging the Gap: Youth Leadership in County Budgeting & Health Advocacy
Partners from across Taita Taveta met for the second stakeholders’ meeting as the 8th Girl Summit takes shape.
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Opportunity · 14 September 2026
ASK Mombasa International Show 2026
Hundreds of students met career paths in the blue economy and maritime sectors.
Read moreOur impact
Sanitary towels in the county budget
Advocacy contributed to the Mombasa County Assembly approving a motion asking the County Executive to allocate funds in the FY 2023–2024 budget for sanitary towels for young women and girls.
KES 5 million for pads
The Department of Public Service, Youth, Gender, Social Services and Sports allocated KES 5,000,000 for sanitary pads in the Mombasa County Integrated Development Plan 2023–2027, and KES 1,000,000 in the Annual Development Plan for FY 2023–2024.
Six small-business centres
The Department of Finance and the Appropriation Committee allocated KES 14,000,000 to establish six small-business development centres across Mombasa County.
A case won in the Small Claims Court
With UNDP and Kituo cha Sheria, SYO helped women entrepreneurs file four claims. One woman has already won her case.
How we create change
Small actions. Big impact. One community at a time.
- 01
Meaningful youth inclusion
Real change happens when young people are trusted to lead. We open chances for youth and women to shape policies, influence decisions, and lead at home.
- 02
Policy and budget advocacy
We connect citizens with decision-makers so community priorities show up in policies, budgets, and laws.
- 03
Innovative programmes
Every programme answers a real need — mental health, climate, governance, or leadership — and prepares communities for what comes next.
- 04
Partnerships
Governments, civil society, business, development partners, and communities combine resources so the work outlasts a single project.
- 05
Digital campaigns
Storytelling, podcasts, and social media turn important conversations into movements and carry voices that are usually ignored.
Thematic areas
Four places the work lives
Health and wellbeingAdvocating for mental health, sexual and reproductive health rights, and substance abuse prevention through education and campaigns.Human rights and gender mainstreamingAdvocating for equality, eliminating discrimination, and protecting the rights of marginalized groups, especially women and girls.Democracy and good governanceEmpowering youth to engage in decision-making, promote accountability, and advocate for transparency.Climate justice and resilienceAddressing climate-induced inequalities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring youth participation in climate action.Our mandate
“Potential exists everywhere, but opportunities do not.”
Stretchers Youth Organization
Our Partners
Call for support