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The Orphanage
The orphanage known as "Maai Mahiu Children's Home" houses 140 children, which is their maximum capacity. Their ages range from five to eighteen, although a few stay until their early twenties. Seventy five percent of these children are without both parents. Those who have one parent are so extremely poor that even providing one meal for their child is impossible. Most of the children at the orphanage are from the Maai Mahiu area, but there are a few from neighboring towns including Naivasha. The orphanage itself is affiliated with 17 other Kenyan orphanages. This orphanage, as well as the others, are supported by the Africa Inland Church, which raises money from different organizations in Kenya and abroad. Stiechting Redt Eenkind, a Netherlands based organization, is the largest contributor of the children's homes. This organization gives monthly contributions to each of the 17 orphanages based on their needs. It is important to recognize that only with their financial help has the orphanage been able to provide support for these children. |
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Although most of the children's basic needs have been met through the AIC they still live in poverty. Life at the orphanage for these children primarily consists of the same routine. The children are fed 2 meals per day and once a week they are fed a meal that includes meat. They attend school outside the orphanage and return when finished. The water sources are unreliable; therefore, children shower and wash clothing when weather permits. There are no entertainment facilities on the orphanage grounds, so the children play outside. Items such as soccer balls are a rarity and even when something of this sort is available it doesn't hold up very long. |
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The children are housed in small dormitories where they sleep in rows of bunk beds. There is neither privacy nor space for them to store their personal items. Each child has a small box that holds their few belongings; a pair of flip-flops, a sweater and possibly an extra shirt.
The director of the orphanage along with the AIC understands the need to provide a better education. With the help of The Kenya Project, additional children from the orphanage, as well as the community, will receive an education in the classrooms we built and benefit from our outreach and AIDS ministry. |
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