KOP works in a particularly poor part of Western Kenya called Nyanza province, home to the 3rd largest city; Kisumu. The high prevalence of HIV and AIDS means than many children are orphaned or vulnerable.
One of the projects KOP supports is a centre for street children. Many have run away from abusive homes or lost their parents. These children are often beaten by police, sold into prostitution, hungry and poorly. The terrible situations drive many of these young children to glue sniffing, to damp down the cold, pain and hunger, and help them to forget.....
The centre provides a safe 'no substances allowed' environment with food, healthcare and washing facilities, as well as education and vocational courses (mechanics, stone carving, simple computing) and offers group activities and a community who actually care about them. The centre is currently for boys (who make up the large majority of street children) but we are looking at opening up another centre for girls, and expanding the night shelter to provide more children with somewhere safe and warm to sleep.
Whilst primary school is theoretically free in Kenya, this only covers the teachers wages. This means
> They do not provide any money for repair of buildings, even when they are falling down and pose a danger to the teachers and students. Last year KOP built 8 classrooms at Alendu Primary School, so that the children can work in a safe environment; no longer having to learn outside when it was windy, in case the building fell down on them, and no longer having to repair the walls with mud and sticks each morning before classes start.
> There is no assistance for uniform, books and writing materials; this prevents many children from going to school - families struggling to make ends meet and feed all the hungry mouths will often be unable to send more than one child to school at the most, whilst other siblings must work. One of our partner charities VIMA, helps children to remain in their family's, by giving support for food, school materials and fees.
> Food is not provided, as a result many children must work to earn money for food rather than going to school. KOP has helped to build and maintain 2 feeding centres in particularly rural areas of the province, providing 2 nutritious meals (breakfast and lunch) a day to children - enabling them to go and learn rather than having to work. Often this is the only food that the children will get in a day.
The work of KOP is varied and the consequences are far reaching. We know we can make a difference.
Helping one child is amazing, helping hundreds to realise their dreams, giving them a chance to become adults - its just mind blowing. Please help us to do this.
Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Thankyou
