THE PLIGHT OF AIDS ORPHANS AND STREEET CHILDREN IN KENYA.

United Methodist Church in Kenya is waking up to the reality of HIV/AIDS Orphans. Over the last three years, the church has monitored the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS infections and the numbers have been growing steadily. The number deaths has from HIV/AIDS have increased and this has in turn multiplied the number of orphans children.

The most affected people are the young couples. This leaves the burden for the orphans to grandparents or neighbors who may already have their own families to care for. The chances are highly that orphans may be neglected and end up turning to the streets for survival.

The numbers of people infected with HIV with Nakuru is increasing; this is why Nakuru United Methodist Church rented two-roomed house to an Orphanage to cater for the Orphans. Currently we are housing 15 orphans’ girls’ y. Nakuru United Methodist church has also started a street children project where these needy boys and girls are fed and counseled to lead a better life.
Many of the orphans have no chance for the education. Young boys are used as slaves working for as little as $1 for a whole week. Girls are introduced to sexual survival like prostitution and earlier marriages as young as 10 years. They are unable to raise school fees. Nakuru United Methodist church under my visionary has been struggling to assist these children and advocate for the children’s rights.

The church has started a health clinic where needy children and women are treated with without fee. Last year the church started a women mainly and girls empowerment center where they were being trained in dressmaking, sewing, knitting and hairdressing. Unfortunate this vital project has been suspended since November last year for lack of finances like salary for the trainers and stationeries. The local church is unable to raise funds for sustaining this project. Women and the girls willing to attend this training are very poor and needy. Many women and girls would benefit so much when this program resume soon. Currently the church is supporting several orphans some living with their aged grandmothers and others living at the streets of Nakuru. We are very grateful to the VIM who have visited our project and for their continued prayers. We sincerely appreciate our Bishop’s support and visionary leadership in our conference

The biggest challenge has been the education for these needy and vulnerable children. The greatest gift you and I can give these children is education.

By the grace of God we have bought a piece of land measuring 10 acres to build a school for these children. We have already received government approval and local community pledge to volunteer in labor.

We are inviting VIM Construction/Building teams, mission teams, churches, districts, conferences and individuals to partner with us in this vital project.

Rev Josam Kariuki
Associate District Superintendent
Nakuru District
Kenya
rewardcare@yahoo.com