Kenya is one of the few African countries to provide free primary education. However, students still need school uniforms to attend school. Many HIV orphans and other vulnerable children cannot afford the $8 for the uniform.
Through a yearly Holiday Card Campaign, we have provided school uniforms to over 650 needy children at schools in Migori, Kendu Bay, Wangadonji, Rabando, and Kedowa schools.
When you purchase a school unifrom, not only are you giving a child dignity and hope, but you are also providing job for local fabric sellers and seamstresses!
We are all volunteers - 100% of donations go directly to the programs you choose!
For just $2.00 you can make a difference in a child's life!
For $2.00 per month you can ensure that an orphan has a nutrient-rich porridge for lunch. The porridge is made from millet, enriched corn maize, flour, sugar, and water. This may be these childrens' only meal all day. Generally, when children lose both parents to HIV, the eldest of the family drops out of school to work so they can try to feed their younger siblings. It is a dismal situation at best.
We currently feed around 550 primary students and 75 preschool students at two primary schools and one preschool. Over half othese students are HIV orphans, and the others are too poor to have anything to eat.
Sponsor one child for $2.00 a month, which includes the cost of millet and the wages paid to the cooks.
Many rural areas of Kenya have no electricity. This makes it difficult to do as "simple" tasks as studying at night or safely lighting the home.
To date, we have provided solar panels for the following schools:
Kedowa School for the Deaf
Wangadonji Primary School
Rabando Boys Home
Agape Home
In August, students at the Kedowa School for the Deaf had light at night for the first time! The students were so excited, they spent the whole night talking (with sign language) to one another. They were too tired for school the next day!
Kedowa School boys posing for their fellow student with the camera!
Currently, most people get their water from unprotected wells, some far from their home. This can be dangerous not only physically (travelling to/from and collecting water) but can also can have serious health consequences.
HIV/AIDS Voluntary Counseling and Testing Center - FINISHED
The Voluntary Counseling and Testing center is completely finished! In an area with over a 30% HIV infection rate, this VCT is vital. Knowledge is necessary to reduce transmission, and this clinic provides free testing and counseling to area residents.
Thanks to all of your contributions, we raised the $9,500 necessary to provide everything from the foundation to the front door. The VCT is up, running, and helping to give a community the knowledge they need to lead healthy, informed lives.
A VCT is an HIV testing center where people go for free HIV counseling and testing.
HIV tests are done with a 20 minute rapid response test.
The old building had only one counseling room which resulted in long lines.
The new brick building is in the center of town and has 4 counseling rooms and a reception area.
Land for the new building has been donated by a local doctor and a board of governors made up of local health practitioners, educators and counselors has been set up to oversee the process.
We have provided water tanks
for the following locations:
Kedowa School for the Deaf, Kericho
Rabando Primary School
Wangadonji Primary School, Kendu Bay
The tank to the left is for the Wangadonji school and holds 10,000 liters of water. The two tanks above are for the church and each holds 4,200 liters
Working with rural African communities to create sustainable programs through dialogue, partnerships and education in the fight against HIV/AIDS
Due to HIV/AIDS there is a shortage of teachers in the areas where we work, leading to very high teacher - student ratios in the classrooms.
In one school there was a ratio of 300 students to 5 teachers: we were able to add 5 teachers to this school.
Providing salaries for certified teachers can greatly increase the impact of the hours the children spend in school. we are currently supporting 16 teachers.
At the request of a local Kendu Bay high school teacher, Tamani Africa started a preschool for HIV orphans. We purchased school equipment, uniforms, and supplies for the kitchen and classroom.
$19 feeds 300 kids for one day.
$350 feeds the kids for a month of school and pays the salaries for two cooks
$4,000 feeds an entire preschool for the entire school year and employs two local cooks
This project is now managed by the dynamic organziation Artists for Advocay International. Please visit their website to learn more: http://afaint.org/HOME.html
Nyahera Jirani Preschool for HIV orphans - Now managed by Artsts for Advocacy int'l
