The Problem
According to the United Nations, there are 12 million AIDS orphans in sub-Saharan Africa alone, and in four short years that number will increase to 18.4 million. That means AIDS orphans will make up 15 to 20 percent of the population in some African countries.
- Every 14 seconds, a child in sub-Saharan Africa loses a parent to AIDS.
- Of the 11 million children in sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, nearly two million are under the age of five.
- It is estimated that 150,000 of those under age five orphans live in Kenya.
Experts disagree on the exact numbers as it is difficult to gain these kinds of statistics, but it is estimated that between 990,000 to 1.1 million orphans live in Kenya.
Many children's parents are dying from AIDS and many times after the parents are gone there is no one to care for the chidren. Grandparents and other relatives used to take in these children, but because this epidemic is so large the families are overwhelmed and not able to care for all the children. This is where we step in to help the community.
- Every 14 seconds, a child in sub-Saharan Africa loses a parent to AIDS.
- Of the 11 million children in sub-Saharan Africa who have lost one or both parents to AIDS, nearly two million are under the age of five.
- It is estimated that 150,000 of those under age five orphans live in Kenya.
Experts disagree on the exact numbers as it is difficult to gain these kinds of statistics, but it is estimated that between 990,000 to 1.1 million orphans live in Kenya.
Many children's parents are dying from AIDS and many times after the parents are gone there is no one to care for the chidren. Grandparents and other relatives used to take in these children, but because this epidemic is so large the families are overwhelmed and not able to care for all the children. This is where we step in to help the community.
The Vision
Our vision is to love and care for children primarily orphaned by AIDS and create a family-like environment where they will be raised and nurtured in an atmosphere that cultivates spiritual development.
The Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe and loving environment for the children. This center will be a home to:
- Children who are affected by HIV/AIDS
- Children in extreme poverty
- Children who are in danger of being trafficked or prostituted
It is our goal to teach these children spiritual and life skills that will enable them to be self-sustaining, vibrant leaders in their communities; to reduce the separation of siblings through adoption, and to advocate for banishment of child labor and create an opportunity for capable young promising leaders of Kenya to be nurtured.
- Children who are affected by HIV/AIDS
- Children in extreme poverty
- Children who are in danger of being trafficked or prostituted
It is our goal to teach these children spiritual and life skills that will enable them to be self-sustaining, vibrant leaders in their communities; to reduce the separation of siblings through adoption, and to advocate for banishment of child labor and create an opportunity for capable young promising leaders of Kenya to be nurtured.
About The Center
We have acquired 5 acres of land which will be developed for the center, and are currently working on acquiring 10 acres of land. (Pictures coming soon!)
We will have several family-style homes built to house these children. We do not want this children's center to be an institution. Each "home" will have house parents or a house mom and will have approximately 5-8 children. These parents will create a family style environment for the children to be raised in.
We hope to break ground the end of January 2008 and dedicate the property while an exploratory mission team is in Eldoret. Then the construction of the center will begin. Until the construction is finished, Eldoret Children's Center will have the use of a fully functioning home which can house up to 30 children.
We will have several family-style homes built to house these children. We do not want this children's center to be an institution. Each "home" will have house parents or a house mom and will have approximately 5-8 children. These parents will create a family style environment for the children to be raised in.
We hope to break ground the end of January 2008 and dedicate the property while an exploratory mission team is in Eldoret. Then the construction of the center will begin. Until the construction is finished, Eldoret Children's Center will have the use of a fully functioning home which can house up to 30 children.
