World Service in all its actions is guided by its core values.

Dignity and Justice

Every human being is created in God’s image, and is thereby gifted with a rich variety of talents and capacities; thus, all persons—independent of their social status or other differences—are to be subjects, rather than objects dominated by others. World Service respects the dignity of every person and supports vulnerable communities in their efforts to achieve justice, human rights and a sustainable future for the human family and the whole creation. World Service facilitates the empowerment of those with whom it works to achieve these ends.

Inclusiveness and Participation
People coming from different backgrounds and circumstances express the richness of God’s creation. The approach of World Service reflects the respect for all people’s gifts for the sake of the fuller participation and inclusion of all people in society.

Accountability and Transparency
World Service maximizes its capabilities through responsible stewardship of all entrusted resources. This is complemented by the highest standards, flexibility and pragmatism in program implementation— balancing accountability towards the affected population and the expectations of partners and back donors. World Service is committed to transparency of its motives and aims, as well as its financial transactions.

Over the years LWF/DWS Kenya has maintained a high level of performance in a bid to meet its obligation both to the beneficiaries and the funding agencies in transparency and accountability. LWF/DWS has adopted the Rights Based Approach; it has enlisted in the HAP and currently is in the process of developing its Complaint and Response mechanisms (CRM) to facilitate beneficiaries complaints according to standards set out by the HAP. LWF/DWS recognizes the presence of set minimum standard in humanitarian activities and continues to strive to meet the Sphere Minimum standards, INEE standards, UNHCR, GoK Set Standards and Legal Requirements and Commonly acceptable best practices as agreed on with partners.
All staff have signed the humanitarian Code of Conduct and there is also a PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) program that has LWF staff as focal points and investigators (one is already in operation in Kakuma and another two investigators in Dadaab and Nairobi are being trained). In cases of sexual exploitation and abuse of beneficiaries, the focal points would be notified immediately to fill appropriate forms and forward this to the head of the relevant agency.

In implementing humanitarian programmes, LWF also take cognisance of the fact that refugees have capacities that can be used and built upon further to ensure project ownership and cost effectiveness. This has been done through community based approaches, in which community structures have been formed and effectively used to involve the refugees in the programmes. Such structures are for example water committees, peace and security advisory committee, child advisory committee, child rights clubs, gender support groups, bicycle taxi association, food advisory committees and bench courts. Many of these structures are instrumental for the implementation of the proposed Sida funded programme.

Compassion
World Service cares about people. Inspired by God’s love for humanity and preferential option for the poor and marginalized, World Service is committed to provide professional services with compassion for, and commitment to, people in need.
Strategic approaches
World Service emphasizes the combination of the following approaches that support and complement each other. Combined, they express the overall LWF understanding of development.

Empowerment Approach
Empowerment Approach builds people’s capacity and competence, both as individuals and as participating members of groups and communities, to achieve results for themselves. By equipping people and local groups with the knowledge, skills and attitudes that broaden their options, their confidence can be built up and they can be empowered to take control of their lives. This means that people must be actively involved in all aspects of their development, from assessment and planning to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. This requires motivating them to contribute as much and in as many ways as possible, whether it is ideas and leadership, time and labor or materials and money. World Service facilitates the empowerment of those affected by disasters to rebuild their livelihoods and live dignified lives as active members of their communities, aware of their rights and holding duty-bearers accountable. For World Service staff and all activities, this means always consulting the people first, considering the impact on the people and their ability to fully participate in, and own, these activities. Space and time must be given for initiatives to develop from the people, instead of merely telling them what to do. This means playing a facilitation role more than a leadership role. It means stepping back and allowing local leadership to take as much control as they are able. It means letting people guide their own development.

Rights-based Approach
RBA first and foremost involves building up rights awareness on all levels, both among the powerless and the powerful. Development objectives are also human rights objectives. An emphasis on human rights in the context of development helps to focus attention on the structural inequities that cause and maintain impoverishment and exclusion. Conscious reference to human rights standards and objectives helps to ensure that the root causes of poverty and exclusion receive proper attention in the formulation and implementation of development programs, and to guard against narrow technical objectives becoming the reference point for development activities. This approach also reduces the risk that the poor are seen as needy objects of charity.

Integrated Approach
Integrated Approach gives consideration to the fact that various lines of action inter-link with or affect other areas or lines of action. Environmental issues, HIV and AIDS, gender and many other thematic areas are not addressed separately but are considered integral parts of all lines of action taken in any given sector. As a result, many development initiatives can be tailored for positive impact on multiple aspects of community life. Working with an integrated approach also means that World Service emphasizes that emergency relief, rehabilitation, development and disaster preparedness efforts are intrinsically linked. Processes leading from one stage to another are not always linear. From the start, World Service facilitates the empowerment of local people in its emergency operations in order to enhance and sustain local capacity. Bridging the gap between emergency response and development is a key competence of World Service.

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