After the end of recent political violence throughout Kenya, Lewa Children’s Home, Baraka Farm and Kip Keino School share stories of strength and survival.
This past winter was a troubling time for the children and staff of the Lewa Children’s Home, Kip Keino School and Baraka Farm; much of the political violence that occurred in Kenya following the recent presidential election was centered in Eldoret, where these institutions are located.
Bread and Water for Africa can happily report that all three are doing well and peace and calm have returned to Eldoret and Kenya. There is still a sense of uneasy peace and Kenya, and it will take for the country to heal from the deep divisions that the violence created.
One touching story that Phyllis Keino, our spokesperson and head of the complex reported to us, involves three sisters who were abandoned by their mother. Their mother, sadly, suffers from HIV and in desperation as a result of having no job she became a commercial sex worker. The three girls, were forced to fend for themselves—something no little child should ever have to do. Fortunately, the girls are now at the Lewa Children’s Home where they are receiving the love and care they deserve.
Phyllis also reports good news from the Kip Keino School: children are doing well in their studies and enrollment is at 287. Not only are the children excelling their studies, but some are also musically talented: in the recent district choir competition the school choirs received 1st place in the own-composition category and 2nd place in the set-piece category!
Despite the global increase in the cost of fuel, the Baraka Farm continues to thrive. Farm manger Jos Creemers and his staff have been hard at work and more than 100 acres of corn were planted this spring! The farm continues to serve as a model for the farming community around Eldoret and across Kenya.
Bread and Water for Africa also can also happily report that there are plans in the work for a community health center on the farm. This health facility will not only serve the staff and children, but it will, in the words of Phyllis, “provide a necessary service to our neighboring community especially after experiencing tension during the post-election violence.”
Bread and Water for Africa will provide updates on the plans for health clinic as they develop. We will provide updates about Lewa Children’s Home and all our other programs when they become available.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RECENT POLITICAL UNREST IN KENYA
