Cheryl's children's home
Background
The number of orphans from HIV aids pandemic in Kenya is increasing at an alarming rate. Globally it is estimated that more than 15 million children under the age of 18 have lost either one or both parents to AIDS. In Kenya, the number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) due to HIV and AIDS is approximated to be more than 1.2 million and the situation continues to increase.
Since the first HIV case that was reported in Kenya, two decades ago, life expectancy has dropped from 65 to 46 years. The national adult HIV prevalence is 7-8% leading to approximately 300,000 new HIV infections, 200,000 new AIDS cases and at least 180,000 deaths each year.
With the loss of parents, children suffer from economic hardships, lack of love, attention and affection, withdrawal from schools, psychological distress, loss of inheritance, increased abuse and risk of HIV infection, malnutrition and illness, stigma, discrimination and isolation among others. Most orphaned children have no one to turn to and are left to fend for themselves.
Social and spiritual guidance is a key component to child development and crucial in developing stable societies. A stable nation invests and imparts social and spiritual values to its younger generation. The emergence of children and foster homes have rescued many destitute children and offered new hope and a new beginning. These homes however, require consistent and stable economic support from those who are fortunate and God has endowed with opportunities.
Our Vision
To provide orphaned children basic human needs as they are ushered into a stable adulthood.
Our Mission
To show mercy, restore hope, give vulnerable children a second chance in life.
Unique placement
The Cheryl's Home has taken orphaned and abandoned children, predominantly in the Kibera, as their own, offering parental love, care and affection. This approach can be seen in children's well-being and a relative short healing period. Qualified social workers give intense guidance to the children, through the loss and trauma they have experienced, to prepare them for their lives.
About Cheryl's children's home (history)
Cheryl's children's home is a registered Christian based Non-governmental Organization. It was started in the year 1999 with main aim of working with and for children and the marginalized communities in Kenya.
The project is located at Dagoretti Corner in Nairobi. Cheryl's Children's home works closely with the underprivileged and the socially disadvantaged people in slums and rural communities to IMPACT and improve their social and economic status.
The increasing number of orphans led to the building of the first temporary structure that accommodated the first 40 orphans. With an ever increasing number of orphans, the home was relocated to Dagoretti Corner on a one-acre land donated by the Kenya government through the Kenyan Railways Corporation.
TRACK RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Currently, there are 40 children living in Cheryl's Children's Home while 116 children are being taken care under our Foster Homes Program. The major achievement consists of having been able to set up a children's home with an integral approach that combines accommodation, education, feeding, clothing, medical care and social attention.
80% of the children are orphans, 15% from one-parent homes that cannot support them and 5% from destitute families. The majority of the orphans are HIV/AIDS affected; however no one is infected.
18 children are on our High School program. 14 more children are now through with their final primary examination and are to join High School in January 2007.
A medical clinic has been started with a part-time professional nurse. The Clinic serves both the home and the neighboring community at a minimal fee. This has alleviated the previous situation where we incurred high medical bills which outstretched the available resources because of the children's ailments.
Because of the large distance to the existing neighboring schools, a pre-primary and primary school was started at the Center. It is also helping some children in the neighboring community who could not take their children to schools due to lack of food and funds to buy school uniform. We have 60 children enrolled at this school and all of them are on the food program. The number has since risen to 60 and is due to come when schools open.
PROFILE OF MANAGEMENT.
The management of Cheryl's Children's Home is lead by the Executive Director, Pastor Samuel Sambuli, and supervised by a Board of Trustees. On staff is a financial assistant, a matron/home manager, a nurse, a secretary, asocial worker, a housemother, a housefather, two teachers a cook, and two watchmen. Some of those on staff are volunteers.
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
1. Expansion of infrastructure: The present Home set-up was made for the 25 children who had been rendered homeless by the flush floods in Kibera slums. However, the home has grown to a population of 40 children, twice the intended population.
The Home needs to expand on the existing infrastructure. Those that urgently require major repairs include a steel gate, kitchen, sleeping rooms and a preprimary room.
The Home is also in dire need of four new classrooms.
2. Water Service: The water system needs to be rehabilitated from the present set-up; a new water tank donated to the home is yet to be installed. Also a connection to the city water and sewage system is planned in order to provide toilets, showers and washing basins for the children.
3. Transport: The Home has no van and the children walk long distances to their various Schools. It is very agonizing during rainy seasons as the children get rained on as they walk to and from School.
4. Clinic: The Home's Medical Clinic needs rehabilitation and a better and regular supply of medicine. It also urgently needs a laboratory equipment, oxygen set, children weighing machine, a fridge for storage of vaccines, adequate drugs, sterilizer and other utilities.
Others: We still need the basics to be able to efficiently run the Home including food supplies, general hygiene supplies and cooking supplies.
Children sponsored programme
Cheryl’s Children’s Home management started a CHEF programme (Cheryl’s Children Extended Family). This is to involve well wishers as partners and our extended “family”.
Our sponsorship programme generates a special bond between you and your “son” or “daughter”.
You will regularly receive grade reports, a letter from the child and our newsletter.
You will visit your “son” or “daughter” any day or time and even take “him” or “her” out. £20 per month or $35 (Kshs. 2,500 per month will help transform a child.)
How you can be involved:-
I would like to make a difference and become a partner in caring.
- I will pray for you. Please send me monthly prayer request.
- Enclosed is my gift of _______________________________
- I would like to make a pledge of _____________ monthly quarterly yearly
- I would like to sponsor a child. Boy Girl
Please send me details.
James 1: 27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
For more information
For more information about Cheryls, and some of the children you might be interested in sponsoring, please see this page
Cheryl’s Children’s Home
P. O. Box 46605 00100 Nairobi.
Cell: 0733 987712
Tel: 387 08 84
BANKING
N. I. C. Bank
The Junction Branch
A/C No. 1-230-000-494
Email: info@cherylshome.net
cchdirector@hotmail.com
Website: www.cherylshome.net |
