I recently learned that in the United States, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for a family of four is expected to exceed $100 this year.
That’s in comparison to less than 15 cents per meal for a child living in an orphanage or children’s home supported by Bread and Water for Africa®, such as our Lewa Children’s Home in Eldoret, Kenya, the Watoto Wa Africa orphanage in Mwanza, Tanzania, the Kabwata Orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia, and the Lerato Children’s Home in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
In fact, for just 45 cents per child per day, all 448 children in the four orphan care programs can be fed three meals at a total cost of $201.60!
The reason why it’s so inexpensive to feed hundreds of children and youth is because our orphan care partners over the years have received grant support from Bread and Water for Africa® to establish their own vegetable gardening and staple crop farming operations – such as the case with the Baraka (Blessing) Farm here in Eldoret which for decades has provided fresh produce and grains, as well as milk and dairy products, for hundreds of Lewa children here over the years.
Thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, the children are able to sit down to a meal of fresh vegetables, meat, and rice, as our partners themselves continue on the path to self-sufficiency.
Your support helped us purchase the seeds, fertilizers, tools, and equipment necessary to plant crops and enjoy bountiful harvests, so that together we may continue to raise healthy and strong children during the most critical time of their young lives.
I want to tell you how this support has been a lifesaver for many children over the years, including just this past February, when a little boy named Chris was found abandoned and suffering from severe malnutrition.
When he arrived at the Kabwata Orphanage, the boy, whose age was unknown but estimated to be between 4 and 5 years old, was in dire condition – fragile and withdrawn, while suffering from severe hunger pains.
But thanks to immediate intervention, consistent nutrition and dedicated care from loving staff, I can tell you that Chris’s recovery has been nothing short of remarkable!
And I’m pleased and proud to report that today, Chris is healthy and exhibits the kind of joy and energy that is to be expected of every child his age. Chris’s transformation in less than a year stands as a powerful reminder of what love, care and support can achieve.
Because of the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, Chris and hundreds of children and youth each with their own terrible story of loss, hunger – and sadly for far too many – abandonment and abuse, who this Thanksgiving all certainly have a lot to be thankful for.
Unfortunately, the fact remains that in my country of Kenya alone there are more than three million orphans who remain in desperate need of help.
I often lie awake at night worrying about how I will provide for the children who are part of my Lewa family in the months to come, with the realization that our only hope is the kind and compassionate supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® who have stood with us for all these many years.
The children and I, as Bread and Water for Africa volunteer spokesperson, celebrate each gift we receive by giving thanks in our prayers to God for the special kindness and His blessings bestowed upon our children’s home, the orphanages, and our Baraka Farm.
Asante Sana! (Thank you so much) in Kiswahili
Phyllis Keino, R.N.
Volunteer Spokesperson
Eldoret, Kenya
