220 GIRLS
15 DOUBLE ORPHANS
ORPHAN CRISIS IN KENYA
Kenya is often known for its stunning landscapes, diverse terrain, and fascinating wildlife. Yet, despite the beauty, there are whole host of underlying issues that adversely affect its citizens. Systemic problems such as high crime rates due to unemployment, lack of access to clean water and adequate social services makes the poor living conditions difficult to overcome. Kenya continues to be one of the most HIV affected countries in the world, with 1.6 million people currently affected by the disease and 62,000 new cases being reported in 2016. With as many as 36,000 AIDS related deaths, many children are left without family. Unfortunately, due to the stigma that surrounds these deaths, extended family are reluctant to care for these children because of fear that they might bring the disease into their homes. Children , especially girls who have been orphaned or abandoned in Kenya face many dangers, including sex trafficking, abuse and female genital mutilation. Although it is a practice that is illegal in Kenya, it is rarely enforced. These girls rely on children’s homes like Kenyan Girls Rescue to provide immediate relief from the harsh realities they would otherwise face.
KENYAN GIRLS RESCUE HOME
Kenyan Girls Rescue home provides an education and safe haven for girls fleeing from abuse, neglect, poverty, forced marriage, and traditional mutilations. Kenyan Girls’ Rescue was a ministry that birthed from an experience that left Carolyne Gachibi traumatized. After being forced to undergo female genital mutilation as a child in Kenya, she began to speak out against it. As an adult she began to rescue girls that were about to undergo female genital mutilation or early forced marriages and put them in a local church school. After marrying in 1995 and starting a business, Carolyne began to work with her local church (African Inland Church) to educate the villages about the dangers of the existing tradition and urged the young girls to speak up and flee such practices. Carolyne, along with a group of women from the church, taught the girls that God values them and has amazing plans for their future. As the girls began to resist the procedure, consequently ruining a chance for a marriage dowry, they were rejected by their families and came to Carolyne’s church for shelter. Since the ministry started, the number of girls they have rescued has grown significantly.
Serving Orphans Worldwide travels to every orphanage we partner with to ensure needs are legitimate and 100% of funds distributed goes to the livelihood of the children.
PROMINENT ISSUES
Female Genital Mutilation
In Kenya, young girls are at risk of undergoing Female Genital Mutilation, a painful procedure that leaves girls traumatized and impacts their ability to go to school. Therefore, many are married as children. Many have been abandoned or have left home to avoid the procedure.
Abuse
7 out of 10 young adults in Kenya reported that they had been physically abused at least once before the age of 18. Girls are often targeted for sex trafficking.
HIV/ AIDS
Of the 2.6 million orphaned children in Kenya, nearly 40% lost their parents to HIV/AIDS. In less educated areas, many of these children are abandoned out of fear of the disease.
HOME
The girls currently live in a facility equipped with electricity and access to clean water. However, Africa Inland Church has given five acres of land for a new, more comfortable retreat center for the girls. The property will house 200+ girls in dorm buildings, and will have a dining hall and offices. The property will be less than one kilometer from the primary school.
EDUCATION
At Kenyan Girls’ Rescue, the staff believe that education will empower the girls to pursue their dreams and allow them to reach their full potential. The primary school girls attend two different Africa Inland Church Primary Schools. They live on their campus during the school year. The high school girls attend different high schools in the area. If they don’t live on campus, they take public transportation to school.
FAITH
As a christian ministry, Kenyan Girls’ Rescue believes that at the heart of true healing is knowing the unconditional love of Jesus. On site social worker described it perfectly. She tells the girls “Don’t apologize for your faith in God, depend on Him at all times as your source of strength.”
HEALTH
In addition to the support of SOW, a local church in Tyler Texas launched a sponsorship program to help cover the girls’ medical expenses . They have received vaccinations as recommended by their public health organization, and regular medical examinations for HIV/ AIDS, hepatitis and other common illnesses are administered. When a medical emergency arises, the girls are able to get the appropriate treatment.
SUPPORT THIS HOME
Kenyan Girls’ Rescue – Sponsorship Needs
$2 of $6,000 raised
This year, we have a goal to help improve the quality of care for these amazing children, and we need your help. Your gift will help provide education, a safe home, health, and adult mentors who can share the Love of Christ. Our promise to you is that 100% will go directly to the home.