In Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe right now there are hundreds of orphaned and abandoned children who have a warm bed to sleep in at night, are receiving three meals a day and are attending school without fear of being turned away due to a lack of ability to pay school fees, who are either living in the homes supported by Bread and Water for Africa®, or living in supervised foster care arrangements.
And thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® as you are reading this, their generous and compassionate support is making it possible for more than a total 400 orphaned and destitute children living at the Lewa Children’s Home in Kenya, the Watoto Wa Africa (Children of Africa) orphanage in Tanzania, the Kabwata Orphanage and Transit Centre in Zambia and the Lerato Children’s Home in Zimbabwe to have everything they need to be healthy and happy.
For example, at the Watoto Wa Africa (WWA) orphanage, there are dozens of children and youth who are being cared for as young as age 4, such as Jackson described as “a very happy little boy” who was abandoned by his parents, to 17-year-old Nelson described as “a good boy, well behaved,” and “a good footballer” who was also abandoned by his parents and has lived there since 2013. And also calling the orphanage home is 16-year-old Gloria who is described as “a very special girl, intelligent and hardworking” who was orphaned at a young age and came to orphanage in 2014 where today she is a promising Form 2 (freshman) in secondary school.
The Lerato Children’s Home, a project of our longtime partner Shinga Development Trust, was founded in 2016 by Margaret Makambira to provide access to shelter and food, an education, healthcare and more to orphaned and other vulnerable children.
“The goal was to create an enabling environment for children’s physical, emotional and psychological healing, especially for those who went through various forms of abuse,” says Margaret.
“The grant funding from Bread and Water for Africa® is crucial in helping the home achieve its long-term goals of providing comprehensive care and support for the children.
“The funding allows us to fulfill the fundamental needs and rights of the children in our care, creating a more conducive home environment that promotes their physical, social, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
“Specifically, the grant enables us to address the critical areas that require attention, such as ensuring that we have adequate food supplies, procurement of necessary textbooks and other educational materials.
“By investing in these key areas, Bread and Water for Africa® empowers us to deliver higher quality, more holistic care that aligns with our long-term vision of supporting the overall development and wellbeing of the children and youth in our care.
“This is a place of safety.”
And at Kabwata, which benefits more than 100 mostly children and youth, founder and director Angela Miyanda, notes that the orphanage and transit centre was founded in 1997 to benefit children “affected and infected” by the HIV/AIDS crisis “and other eventualities that made them not to have a decent life.
“It was established out of compassion for vulnerable children who had lost their parents to the epidemic or who themselves were living with the virus.”
And over those nearly three decades, Kabwata, with steadfast support from Bread and Water for Africa®, “has provided not only shelter, but also access to education, healthcare and emotional support.
“Our dedicated staff, many of whom have personal experiences with the impact of HIV/AIDS, work tirelessly to create a nurturing environment where these children can thrive.
“The grant funding we receive from Bread and Water for Africa® is crucial to the continued operation of the home – it ensures that we are able to continue to provide essential services to the children, and work towards our long-term goals of stability, self-sustainability and the overall betterment of our community.
“While in our care the children learn how to take care of themselves and each other – while fostering a feeling of family and community amongst all.”
