ORPHAN CRISIS IN KENYA
Kenya, though a land full of wildlife and beautiful terrain, is one of the most vulnerable places in the world. It is estimated that 3.6 million children are orphaned, with 47% losing one or more parents to HIV/AIDS. Approximately 36,000 AIDS-related deaths have left many children without family or anyone to properly care for them. Poverty is also plaguing Kenya. Over 25% of the population lives on less than $1 daily. Without the means for basic necessities, citizens and children are malnourished. Due to unemployment in Kenya, the crime rate is high, and substance abuse is prevalent. With the land under government control, access to clean water and systems for sanitation, healthcare, or schools is almost impossible. Many orphaned children in Kenya live in dangerous environments and rely on places like the Precious Kids Center for safety. Precious Kids Center serves as a light in a dark place, helping special needs children receive the love and care they need when their environment is full of fear and the unknown.
ABOUT PRECIOUS KIDS CENTER
Precious Kids Center was founded in March 2012 to help serve children in Kenya with disabilities by Sammy Hammork. Sammy visited Kenya when she was 16 years old and returned to serve children with disabilities during her summer breaks while she was in college. She later moved to Kenya and started her own children’s home for kids with disabilities. Today, Precious Kids Center provides a loving family environment, education, and medical needs to almost 180 kids. Over 60% of the children who call Precious Kids Center home have some disability.
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
POVERTY
A common reason for child abandonment in Kenya is poverty. More than 40% of the population in Kenya lives under the national poverty line.
HIV/AIDS
3.6 Million children are orphans in Kenya. Nearly 40% lost their parents to AIDS. Many of these children are abandoned for fear of the disease.
ABUSE
Before the age of 18, 7 out of 10 young adults reported that they had been physically abused at least once in Kenya.
WE BELIEVE
HOME
The Precious Kids Center provides a safe home to children who have been neglected or abandoned due to their disabilities. It is important to the staff that the children feel loved and accepted, just as God created them to be.
HEALTH
The children are visited regularly by local pediatricians in the area. The Precious Kids Center has many connections with other mission hospitals as well. If operations are needed and cannot be done in Kitale, they will be sent to another hospital in Kenya. Here, they strive to meet the health needs of every child in the best way possible.
FAITH
There is a church on site that the children attend, as it is important for the Precious Kids Center to meet the spiritual needs of the children. They have regular bible studies, and the staff oversees a weekly Bible study every Tuesday night.
EDUCATION
There is an on-site school, as well as public and private schools, that the children attend. Special education teachers strive to meet the children where they are, and they cater their education to meet their needs in the best possible way.
