Description
Baraka Children's Centre (BCC) is a home for destitute children, orphans, street children, and other vulnerable children that was established in 2004. Our vision is improved spiritual, mental, and physical health and well-being for orphans and destitute children. Currently, we have 12 orphaned children whom we are supporting. 83% of our children have been orphaned by losing their parents to HIV/AIDS, and 17% have lost their parents to violence.
We make it a priority that all children attend school, despite the fact that Kenya does not offer universal free education past the primary level. The fees for school, along with other educational necessities such as books and uniforms, are some of BCC’s most significant expenses.
Aside from the basics of being fed, clothed, and provided education, BCC believes in holistic childhood development, and provides counseling services to all of its children, as well as the option of spiritual education and prayer, and artistic expression such as music.
As BCC looks to the future, we are hoping to start orphanhood-prevention activities, including starting a school with a peacebuilding focus on the premises to combat violence, a main source of orphanhood in the area. Other activities will include community outreach focused on HIV/AIDS education and community-brainstorming discussions to educate people about the problem of orphanhood and come up with community-based solutions.
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Impact
ACTIVITIES SINCE 2004
1. Sensitizing town and slum residents of Nyeri, Kenya on HIV/AIDS.
2. Offering free medical treatment to street children and supporting them with clothes & food.
3. Supporting disabled children through activities including donating a wheel-chair.
4. Starting a children's home to cater for orphans (especially those who have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS). We are providing them with food, clothes, shelter, education, health care, and most importantly, a family.
5. Delivering messages through the CDs and VCDs of Positive Gospel singers that hope to: fight for women's rights, bring hope to those who are discriminated against, encourage the empowerment of children, create awareness about HIV/AIDS, fight against drug abuse
6. Establishing a counseling center (Positive Awareness & Counseling Center). We offer: Home/couples counseling, Youth counseling, Christian counseling, and Education consultations
7. Establishing a nursery and day care center to bring in income to support our young orphans by giving them free education.
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Students and Projects:
Baraka Children's Centre Latrine and Toilet Up
$2200 of $2200 donated
Central, Kenya
Baraka Children's Centre was founded in 2004 as a personal initiative by founder Francis Kimaru and his wife Lydia. It cares for 12 orphaned and vulnerable children from the area around Nyeri, Kenya. It was born out of the recognition that there was a significant population of needy kids in the district, and the desire of Francis and Lydia to make a positive change in the lives of young people. Francis’ own father had been an orphan raised in a home, and his father’s experience inspired Francis to help children in vulnerable situations lead a happier and healthier life. Most of the kids at the home had parents who died of AIDS, and were left either with grandmothers unable to provide appropriate care or else left on the streets to fend for themselves. Baraka Children's Centre takes these children in, provides rehabilitation, and then gives them a safe and loving home environment. All expenses for the children are covered by the home: accommodation, food, clothing, school...
Eric Kariri Wangechi
$220 of $220 donated
Central, Kenya
Eric was born in Othaya district to a single mother. In addition to caring for her children, his mother was the primary caregiver for her sister, who was living with HIV. One day, on a trip to visit her sister who was in the hospital being treated for an opportunistic infection, she arrived to find that her sister had passed away in the evening. This caused her to faint and go into shock, and subsequently die herself. This left Eric and his young sister Eva (also listed on Givology!) with no family to support them. Francis, the director of Baraka Children's Centre, heard the story of Eric and Eva, and agreed to take them in. Since arriving at the centre, they have been able to take advantage of many newfound opportunities. Eric is a strong student who always ranks near the top of his class, and has made good friends with the other children in school and at the center. He was also able to get a pair of glasses, which has fixed a recurring problem with headaches and should allow h...
Evahline Wambui Wangechi
$220 of $220 donated
Central, Kenya
Eva was born in Othaya district to a single mother. In addition to caring for her children, her mother was the primary caregiver for her sister, who was living with HIV. One day, on a trip to visit her sister who was in the hospital being treated for an opportunistic infection, Eva’s mother arrived to find that her sister had passed away in the evening. This caused her to faint and go into shock, and subsequently die herself. This left Eva and her older brother Eric (also listed on Givology!) with no family to support them. Francis, the director of Baraka Children's Centre, heard the story of Eric and Eva, and agreed to take them in. Since arriving at the centre, they have been able to take advantage of many newfound opportunities. Eva is a very strong student, and is always first in her class! Her favorite subject in school is English, and she has a positive attitude about life. Others describe her as very bright and with an undefeatable attitude! She has found a real family ...
Gregory Kimani Wanjiru
$50 of $220 donated
Central, Kenya
Kimani was born in Othaya district, a short distance from Nyeri town, to a single mother. Soon after Kimani was born, his mother remarried a different man from a local village. Several years, and a few more children later, Kimani’s mother passed away. Because he was not born to his adoptive father, when his mother died Kimani was rejected by the family and chased away. The director of Baraka Children's Centre heard Kimani’s story, and agreed to take the homeless child in. Since arriving at Baraka Children's Centre in 2009, Kimani has had the opportunity to thrive in a supportive environment. He has suffered from chronic kidney problems that were not properly attended to in his younger years. In 2010, he received proper treatment from Kenyatta National Hospital, and now sees a physician on a regular basis for check-ups. Kimani is an exceedingly bright child, who consistently comes in first in his grade. He is very ambitious, and aspires to become an aerospace engineer. Wi...
Drought Relief for Baraka Children’s Centre
$3000 of $3000 donated
Central, Kenya
East Africa is in the middle of its worst drought in 60 years and the world’s worst food crisis of the 21st century. Areas of Somalia are facing famine, which is threatening to spread throughout Kenya. Already, food prices have doubled in Kenya and incomes have been cut dramatically due to reduced spending. Food is scarce and expensive, and incomes are unexpectedly disappearing at an alarming rate. In addition to the incredible increase in food prices, Baraka Children’s Centre is facing incredible decreases in the income generated by its own projects, such as the herbal medical clinic that is run by our Founder and Director, Francis Kimaru. Though organizations like the UN and Save the Children are working hard to distribute food, there simply is not enough to go around. Baraka Children’s Centre is appealing to you for your help in keeping our kids healthy and strong during this unexpected time of need. We aim to raise $3,000 to cover all rising food costs over the next three ...
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