Report Back: Africa Orphan Rescue - July 2010
5/07/2010
In the last year more than 1,100 New Zealanders have signed on to ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue, a regular giving programme to support orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. The programme provides for children’s most basic needs – food, water, and education.
As you will discover in this latest report back, Africa Orphan Rescue supporters are already making a huge difference in the lives of children in desperate need.
Meet little orphan Molly. At just 7 years old, Molly was forced to work every day because her crippled grandma couldn’t. Sharing a cramped, rundown shack with her grandma and cousins, Molly regularly suffered chest pain and stomach ache. “We live in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya, where cholera is at its climax. It’s killing people around here,” explained Molly’s grandma.Now, thanks to the generosity of New Zealanders like you, giving just $20 a month through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue, orphan Molly’s life is transforming…
Molly now drinks water that is clean and safe from waterborne diseases like cholera, which kill 4,000 children each day. Molly’s school now has a water tank, so all of her school friends get to drink clean water too. With good nutrition essential for a child’s physical and mental growth, our high protein corn-soy blend porridge may be the only meal some children get to eat each day. Molly now receives porridge every day at school. This encourages her to attend her classes, as well as improving her health and strength. Now, Molly’s grandma can be confident that Molly is getting at least one nutritious meal a day. Bright and outgoing, Molly is looking forward to a better future. She loves playing netball with her friends and her best subject at school is English.
And then there’s James...
At five years old, we rely on our parents to help us make sense of the world. To protect us, feed us and love us. So imagine losing both your parents in less than 12 months when you’re just five years old. Sadly, little James doesn’t have to imagine this devastating scenario – he lived it and continues to face the effects of being an orphan every day.
Born in Iseuri, Kenya, James is the youngest of four children. When both of his parents died, he was kindly taken in by his Aunty Bettina who worried for her young nephew’s future. She was already struggling to look after her own four children. Under immense pressure, James’ aunt said, “I feel sad because the future of these children depends on me.” She added, “If I do not work hard to provide food, health, education, clothes and shoes for these children, they will suffer.”
Thanks to the kindness of ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue supporters, James and his aunty are now receiving much needed support.
Previously complaining of constant headaches, James’ health has begun to improve. “We received UNIMIX for porridge and it is very nutritious,” Bettina says. “Nowadays he attends school without any problem. He concentrates in class and is learning very well.”
This extra food is vitally important to James and his family. During the recent drought, they lost cows, goats and sheep, leaving them with no reliable source of income. On top of this, food is scarce in Kenya, and the small amount of food available is very expensive.
“Whoever thought of helping us with food is a true servant of God,” says Bettina, “because we were dying of hunger. We had fifty cows and we are left with five. We have no other property to depend on and our children need food, clothes and education.”In addition to much needed nourishment, James now has access to clean and fresh drinking water, free from potentially fatal diseases like cholera. The family’s water is treated, allowing them to drink safely and bathe daily, leading to better hygiene.
Despite his recent ordeals, young James is excited about his future. “I want to have good grades and become a teacher at our school. Teachers provide interesting plays, writing and, before we go home, they give us delicious porridge.”
The ongoing support of ChildFund’s generous Africa Orphan Rescue supporters is helping James have the chance to achieve his dream of becoming a loved and valued teacher, and escape the cycle of poverty for good.
Join Africa Orphan Rescue today and help change the lives of orphans like Molly and James.
Latest Progress
The following progress has been made in Emali, Kenya in the last six months, thanks to the support of generous New Zealanders through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue:
Food & Nutrition
- 4,425 tonnes of food has been purchased and distributed.
- 2,430 children and 1,148 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have received extra food as well as growth and nutrition monitoring.
Education
- 2 ECCD centres are now underway, with the kitchens and store rooms started, and 8 centres registered with the Ministry of Education.
Training and Support
- 51 groups have started the volunteer savings and loan training so locals can set up their own small businesses.
- 16 teachers and 41 caregivers have been trained in areas such as basic health care, personal hygiene and sanitation, food handling and nutrition.
- 62 caregivers have received training in supporting children and their families.
Still to be delivered
And we won’t stop there. There is still lots to do to help orphaned and vulnerable children through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue. In the coming months the focus will be:
Clean Water
- 16 water tanks will be installed in the coming months - that’s 2 for each of the 8 ECCD centres.
Support
- We’re working with the Ministry of Youth, Gender & Social Services to identify existing youth and children’s groups to form networks.
Sanitation
- Toilets will be erected in 2 of the completed ECCD centres, adjoining the classrooms.
Safety
- Fencing is to be put up around the 8 ECCD centres to keep the children in a safe and supervised space, and to protect them from wild animals.
Education
- Construction will continue on the 8 ECCD centres, including 3 more classrooms.
Help us change the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in need. Click here to join ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue or call 0800 223 111 today.
If you are already a ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue supporter - Thank you!
Thanks to your support through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue, Molly’s dreams of a happier future are coming true. And with your ongoing help, James’ life can also continue to get better and brighter every day.
While we’ve made some great progress, there are still many more African orphans who need your support. Thank you for continuing to help children like Molly and James, who are in such desperate need.
The following progress has been made in Emali, Kenya in the last six months, thanks to the support of generous New Zealanders through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue:
Food & Nutrition
- 4,425 tonnes of food has been purchased and distributed.
- 2,430 children and 1,148 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers have received extra food as well as growth and nutrition monitoring.
Education
- 2 ECCD centres are now underway, with the kitchens and store rooms started, and 8 centres registered with the Ministry of Education.
Training and Support
- 51 groups have started the volunteer savings and loan training so locals can set up their own small businesses.
- 16 teachers and 41 caregivers have been trained in areas such as basic health care, personal hygiene and sanitation, food handling and nutrition.
- 62 caregivers have received training in supporting children and their families.
Still to be delivered
And we won’t stop there. There is still lots to do to help orphaned and vulnerable children through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue. In the coming months the focus will be:
Clean Water
- 16 water tanks will be installed in the coming months - that’s 2 for each of the 8 ECCD centres.
Support
- We’re working with the Ministry of Youth, Gender & Social Services to identify existing youth and children’s groups to form networks.
Sanitation
- Toilets will be erected in 2 of the completed ECCD centres, adjoining the classrooms.
Safety
- Fencing is to be put up around the 8 ECCD centres to keep the children in a safe and supervised space, and to protect them from wild animals.
Education
- Construction will continue on the 8 ECCD centres, including 3 more classrooms.
Help us change the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children in need. Click here to join ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue or call 0800 223 111 today.
If you are already a ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue supporter - Thank you!
Thanks to your support through ChildFund Africa Orphan Rescue, Molly’s dreams of a happier future are coming true. And with your ongoing help, James’ life can also continue to get better and brighter every day.
While we’ve made some great progress, there are still many more African orphans who need your support. Thank you for continuing to help children like Molly and James, who are in such desperate need.
Keep in touch:
