First of all, I would like to thank you for your contribution and support. My experience in Kenya has been simply amazing. I had the opportunity to visit two centres which you have directly supported through your donation to KOP. It was touching to see how your kind donation changes the destinies of so many disadvantaged people. On their behalf, thank you.

The first centre I visited is called HOVIC, and its role is to ensure that street children are fed and sheltered, 365 days a year, free of charge. Many kids in Kenya end up on the streets because of parents’ death, violence or lack of food at home. Street life is really tough.  Children try to survive in a place where they have no water, food, proper clothes, friends or access to education. They are beaten up by the police at night and many use drug to escape their pain. HOVIC staff actively seek out such vulnerable kids and bring them to the centre, where they are provided with food, clothes, washing facilities, a bed to sleep in, and a place to learn.

During my stay, we organised lessons on child rights, hygiene, and gender issues. We also played games in order to get to know everyone better. Our interaction with them was great fun, and it was fantastic to see these kids smiling all the time.

The second centre I visited is called St Anne’s. It is a self-sufficient orphanage in term of food hidden deep within the beautiful Kenyan countryside, where it is really peaceful and quiet. Dogs, cows and chickens were roaming about the place on the grass, and 80 year-old women were busy ploughing the fields. Seventy five children from 1 to 14 years old walk to St Anne’s every morning in order to receive food and education. Many of them are infected with HIV, and most lost their parents to that terrible illness. They live with their uncles, aunts, and grandmothers, but sadly these extended relatives are often completely unable to adequately feed them. I really enjoyed playing with these kids, preparing lunch for them and helping the grandmothers to plough the fields.  We have also been helping local families that were either really poor or sick, by gardening, offering them chickens and simply by playing with their kids…

This was the best experience of my life so far and I am extremely grateful for your generous donation. Having seen some of the important work that the Kenyan Orphan Project does, I am keen to do more. I would really appreciate it if you could spread this message to friends and family in order to help me to raise some more genuinely life-saving funds for this wonderful charity and the many beautiful children in supports.

I thought you might like to see some of my favourite photos from the trip – I hope you enjoy them.

If you have any questions about my experiences or about KOPs work, then please do get in touch.

Many thanks again,

 

 

Thomas. 

 

 

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