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BBCF has partnered with 25 schools in Western Kenya. Altogether, these schools reach out to over 10 0o0 children, all of whom have been directly affected by AIDS/HIV. Many of these children are orphans themselves, living in extreme poverty, caring for younger siblings, fighting off “relatives” who would try to steal and sell off their land. For them, education is their only hope for a better future.
Whenever possible, BBCF seeks to work within existing infrastructures as it cuts down on administrative costs and also supports the local villagers at a grass roots level. These 25 schools already have classrooms, teachers and Principals who are familiar with the unique needs of their students and community. Each of these schools has received an Optimus Lamp. As students have no electricity at home, or within the school itself, these lamps provide an opportunity for a classroom of students (upwards of 100 children) to assemble before school or after chores are done and the sun has set, to study. Reports from BBCF Kenya staff on the ground show schools that are crumbling from years of neglect. Complete walls have disappeared, doors and window frames are structurally unsound and roofs leak. Many children sit on the ground (cow dung floor) all day as there are not enough desks for everyone. Classrooms are overcrowded since the government introduced “free” primary education (parents must still provide a uniform and school supplies or their children are sent home). Some schools do not have proper outdoor toilet/latrine facilities. BBCF is raising funds to meet these needs in an effort to support these local schools.
BBCF at work in the education comunity.
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| BBCF Presenting Optimus lamp to Esibembe Primary School. | |
Optimus lamp. | |
An Optimus lamp at work. |
BBCF has organized the 25 schools into 5 groups. Each group is overseen by a BBCF Volunteer who visits the schools and supports them in their efforts to meet the needs of the weak, sick, widowed and elderly in their area. Students from these schools collect sticks for firewood and water for drinking, bathing and washing. They clear brush away from homes to help prevent disease. Gardens are weeded and tended to and homes are swept to reduce dust in the air. All these chores are done without any financial cost to the students. BBCF volunteers meet up with the recipients of these acts of kindness and keep track of how each of the schools in their group is meeting local needs. It is important to note that widows in Kenya are often as young as 23 years of age due to AIDS and HIV.
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| School uniforms are required to attend local schools. | |
The Helping Hands youth organization allows local children to provide aid to the sick, widowed and elderly in their villages. |
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| BBCF also organizes youth choirs and sports teams to keep village youth healthy and engaged. | ||
BBCF is raising funds to build a health clinic that will service the 10 000 children and their families. There are few facilities within walking distance for the more than 50 000 people in this densely populated area. The closest clinic is a one hour bus ride away and there is no guarantee that it will be stocked with any medical supplies.
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| Village labour and local business are supported by this construction project. | ||
Once established, the clinic would be supported by government doctors and nurses and would also provide a location for outside international agencies to provide specific annual week long treatment care.
BBCF has partnered with villagers who own 10 acres of farmland. The whole village will be involved in the process of preparing the land, planting the crops, tending the crops and harvesting the crops.
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| Community farms are tended by everyone in the the village. Village orphans are also taught farming skills by other members of the community. | ||
Children who no longer have parents to teach them how to farm will learn these skills from other local farmers. They will become familiar with the type of crops that are successful in their area and how to see the process through from start to finish. Young widows will assist in the weeding and general tending to of the crops during the day. They have already made use of a small portion of the land for their poultry farm. The money they make from the sale of eggs and eventually hens, contributes to their ability to be self sufficient.
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| BBCF is spearheading efforts to establish poultry farms run by village widows to provide food and income. | ||
BBCF is raising funds to build an Education Centre and Library. There is currently no such facility available for the 25 schools involved with BBCF.
This building would provide a place for educational workshops, training seminars for teachers, retreats for staff and students as well as a fully equipped library available to the students in the community.
BBCF has also partnered with Christian Horizons Global (CHG). Over the next 1 - 2 years, CHG has committed to sponsoring 100 vulnerable children and children with exceptional needs in Western Kenya. For more information check out their website.
Left: Zabde and Michael Alemu, head of CHG in Kenya visiting the various homes of children to be sponsored.