Child sponsorship update from Nairobi, Kenya

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Nairobi, Kenya from Summer 2008

Dear Sponsor,

Receive warm greetings from the SOS Mothers, Co-workers and Children of SOS Children’s Villages Nairobi.

The year started on a low note after Kenyan citizen went through the two months social unrest in the country. However that did not affect the planned activities for the first half of the year which were very fruitful.

The village was privileged to work with the government and other stakeholders in responding to the post election crisis which resulted in many children being displaced and separated from their families. A total of 66 unaccompanied children were brought in the village by the Red Cross Society and Provincial Children’s Officer. This was offered as a temporary measure as the Children’s Officer worked out modalities on how to trace their parents. These children received love, respect and security from the entire SOS Children’s Village community. On Valentines Day, they laid flowers of peace at the memorial park after which they were treated to a special day at a creational place for children called splash. To date, 60 children have been reunited with their families and 6 are still waiting. To support this noble course donations were received from various companies and the Children’s Department.

Looking after children in Kenya

The 7th Mother’s Trainees graduation took place at the Regional Training Resource Centre. It saw nine trainees graduate who were then posted in the Nairobi and the other three villages that we have within the country. The occasion was attended by the chairman for National Council for Children’s Services and Chairman of SOS Children Kenya among other important guests.

We marked the International Women’s Day by sending our SOS Mothers, who make a difference in lives of our children. The tone and nature of the event was to celebrate the positives and remember the great improvements that have taken place in improving the livelihood of women in the world unlike the past years where people remembered the negative. This is a major day which marks the economic, political and social achievements of women globally.

The co-workers in the village were proud to have one of their own promoted from being a Village Educator to the level of the Assistant Mother Trainer at the Regional Training Resource Centre. They say it is a motivating factor to have a co-worker who understands the needs of children having worked in the village and knows what is required in the training to facilitate their growth and development. The co-workers believe that their efforts are being recognised and appreciated.

Children learning for the future

Last year a farm project was started to help generate income and act as an educational tool for the children and the youth. The farm has chicken, pigs and rabbits. It’s encouraging to see that most of the youth assist in various tasks and currently are able to supply chicken to the family houses and in the youth homes.

Local fundraising initiatives have also been picking up though with the current political and economic climate, this has proven a challenge. We are hopeful that we will eventually gain greater support from the Kenyan community in the coming months.

Children and youth who sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary and Secondary Examination attained good grades and have all joined secondary schools and colleges respectively. Worth noting are the four youth who have been admitted at Hermann Gmeiner International School in Ghana after performing exceptional well in their academic performance. The village has introduced tutorial program for all the children which is taking place in the school for the older children and in the evening for the younger children. This programme is meant to motivate and cultivate learning habits in the children. As a result of this, we have seen the performance of most children improve.

The Youth department has continued to engage the imagination, energy and hope of youth in activities that will nurture their talents and skills. We believe that they are not only the leaders of the future but they can also do amazing things to improve the world around them. This year the youth moving to the community attended workshops which were facilitated by the Kenya Business Trust Team and banks. The objectives of the workshops were to motivate and link the youth with the Trust so that follow-up on training, business advice and business loans. As you are aware youth unemployment is still a major issue in the world and encouraging them to venture into entrepreneur will be creating job opportunities for them.

Apart from the above mention, the youth department also managed to create partnership with like minded organizations. They will together develop programs that will empower the youth to reach their full potential, nurture in career placement and have recreations opportunities.

Finally we send you summer greetings and wish you and your loved ones a pleasant time for the rest of the year.

Yours faithfully,

Gladys Mumbi (Ms)
Sponsorship Co-ordinator.