Both (a) in-school factors such as over-focus on academic performance, absence of uniform, and corporal punishment, and (b) out-of school factors such as caring for ailing parents, child labor, etc., hinder participation of orphan and vulnerable children (PVC) in Free Primary Education (FOE) system in Nyasa Province, Kenya. In this context Concern Worldwide Kenya undertook an appreciative capacity building approach and appropriately positioned District Education Office (DOE) of the Ministry of Education and local civil society organizations (CS Os) to address in-school and out-of-school factors, respectively, to ensure quality education for PVC. The outcome of the programmer is promising and has demonstrated the need for greater cooperation between CS Os and the government to develop creative strategies in overcoming the causes of marginalization within the contexts of the growing AIDS pandemic and poverty in Kenya.