CAFS is a regional training institute created in Kenya in 1975 by IPPF (International Planned Parenthood Federation) under the Africa Education Project to teach public officials about the importance of national family planning policies. Training provided by CAFS focuses on family planning and sexual and reproductive health. It has evolved since then to its current status as an autonomous, non-profit organization registered in Kenya since 1984. CAFS is a unique organization as it is pan-African with training offices in both East and West Africa. Its headquarters is in Nairobi, Kenya, with a Regional Office for West and Central Africa based in Lomé, Togo, which covers both anglophone and francophone countries in east, west, and central Africa. and which works with the SFPS project directly.
The original mission of CAFS was to develop the capacities and competencies of family planning personnel in sub-Saharan Africa. The initial objectives stemming from this mission were to inform and educate decision-makers, opinion leaders, and professionals about the problems surrounding family planning and population growth. CAFS has since broadened its mandate to meet the demand for its training services and now includes programs in research, information and dissemination, and women and health. Today, its mission statement is
To strengthen the capabilities, capacities, and effectiveness of organizations and individuals providing sexual, reproductive and family health services which encourage responsible exercise of rights and promote higher quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa (CAFS Strategic Plan 1996 – 2000).
From 1979 to 1996, CAFS has trained over 4,000 professionals in family planning and reproductive health covering multiple topics including:
The SFPS Project, through its training component (SFPS/Training), plans to support CAFS/Lomé becoming a center of excellence for training in the West and Central African region. Collaboration in the past has brought training skills to CAFS. Staff have received training in competency-based training and the humanistic approach to training. In the future, SFPS/Training will focus on enhancing training skills and competencies in infection prevention. In addition, SFPS will collaborate with CAFS/Lomé to conduct at least two CTS courses for national and regional trainers. While these activities may only be a minor part of CAFS’s ongoing work, the added technical expertise in infection prevention has the potential to significantly impact the demand for CAFS training services and will also improve the organization's expertise in quality of care.
Contact Information:
Centre for African Family Studies
(CAFS)
Pamstech House
Woodvale Grove, Westlands
P.O. Box 60054
Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: 254.2.44.86.18
Fax: 254.2.44.86.21
Director: Dr. Pape Syr N'diagne
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