In September we had the pleasure of revisiting community groups in western Kenya whom we three years ago provided with a bag of money to set up social enterprises in support of orphaned children. Their businesses are thriving and some have even expanded to do other income generating activities. Here is the pan-paper group proudly showing the land they are now able to rent and cultivate (maize and millet).

We have now launched our 60 day campaign, #Change4Life, to recruit 20 new monthly donors! We have had many loyal donors over the years but now we are seeking to expand our donor base to include YOU! Over the next 60 days, WVP Kenya will be highlighting the various areas your monthly donation could help improve the lives of children and adults in these communities, adding to the sustainability of our work. From as little as £5 a month, you can make a difference in a child's life. Click here to make a monthly donation.

This July has been an exciting month for our CCT projects and our sports and health education workshops. A total of more than 900 children in schools within the Lugari district attended seminars held by WVP Kenya on behaviour change and communication. The children actively participated in these interactive sessions, as part of our health education workshops. In line with our capacity-building goals, the Chekalini group received tents and chairs from WVP Kenya; specific project training is planned for them to start hiring out their tents. The Pan-Paper team received their two motorbikes, as well as insurance on all three motorbikes in their possession. It is reported back that the motorbikes are working well for the members, below you can see them with their new motorbikes.

Within our scholarship programme, a group of five scholars received payment of their fees in order to join local polytechnics, with three pursuing electrician training and two receiving tailoring training. Within our education projects, the performance of children in relation to the IGA was discussed among parents in meetings across the district. The general consensus came to the point that the IGAs would help scholars improve their performance.

WVP Kenya is now looking for a Social Media, Campaigns & Fundraising Intern to lead a three-month fundraising campaign to promote WVP’s work to a wider audience through the website and social media, increase WVP’s private donations and diversify its funding base. For more detail, click here

In January 2014 we saw 54 of our graduating primary scholars enrol in secondary school. Over the past 4 years we have supported these orphaned and vulnerable children excel in primary school and it is with great pride we are able to support them through 4 further years of secondary education. We will cover all school-related expenses and offer life-skills services. It is our hope that many of these continuing scholars will obtain top marks and be offered government loans and scholarships to go to University. Those on the borderline to obtain top grades, and who do not qualify for government support, we will also try and support. This year for example we are supporting the tertiary education of 17 of our graduating secondary scholars. 

More than 500 orphaned or vulnerable children provided with direct community support

WVP Kenya is working with 16 community-based organisations to provide holistic support and care to the many orphaned or vulnerable children in Nyanza and Western Provinces, areas of Kenya worst hit by poverty and HIV/AIDS. In the first half of this year in Nyanza Province alone, more than 200 children were able to attend school through school fee payments made by the community organisations, and a total of 329 children were provided with school uniform and other items (including text books) as well as with medical assistance in a number of cases. In the same period, 225 adults attended 14 days of training on a range of topics including parenting, child rights and project management, and 224 children attended two days of training on child rights and responsibilities.

A Child Protection Unit known as KAGO was founded following support from WVP in October 2012 across the four communities of Akoko, Gombe, Magak, and Nyamwanga. KAGO has 28 members working on a voluntary basis, all of whom received 14 days of training in the area of child rights and protection.  This year, KAGO has been working closely with church and other community groups to ensure all children are being adequately and appropriately cared for in the communities, and has identified and dealt with a number of difficult cases. This work is supported across all WVP communities by our Child Protection Ambassadors, who work on a part-time basis to ensure the safety and security of their communities’ children, reporting difficult or concerning cases to WVP staff.                           

Thirteen WVP scholars who graduated from secondary school in 2011 and 2012 will be heading to university later this year. Having received their marks in March, the scholars have only recently found out where they are heading and what they will be studying, so now the excitement and planning can really begin! They will be reading a wide range of subjects, including eco-tourism, economics, medicine, biochemistry, architecture, and mathematics. In May 2013, a further three secondary school graduates began college courses in teacher training, electrical engineering, and business administration. In total, WVP continues to support 486 children through full cycles of primary, secondary and tertiary education. 

WVP has also continued to support to the most vulnerable of our scholars’ families, and has provided more than 50 small business grants this year. The businesses started range from small food stalls at the local markets to selling clothes and fried fish, and empower parents and guardians to provide for their children’s needs at home enabling the children to focus on succeeding at school.

Access our Skiliza Newsletter for summer 2013 here

Season's Greetings and updates from WVP Kenya - http://eepurl.com/sskEv