Adopt a child in Kenya

Title of the project

Adopt a child in Kenya

Place of intervention

Kilifi, Kenya

Description of the context

The poverty rate in the district of Kilifi, a town halfway between Mombasa and Malindi exceeds 71% of the population (http://www.opendata.go.ke). Among children under 5 years old, more than one out of six are underweight (www.indexmundi.com). The density of doctors is less than 1,5 % (0.14 every 1,000 people, www.indexmundi.com ). Only 7.1% of the population of Kilifi has completed secondary school education (www.opendata.go.ke). In Kilifi, slightly more than 16% of buildings have access to electric current. In this context, the orphanage “Mwangaza” is located: it is a new building in the area of Kiwandani, which hosts 27 children aged between 4 and 18 years old.

The project

The project aims at contributing to the growth of 27 children living in the orphanage of Mwangaza. Thanks to your help, AnlaDi intends on one hand to promote access to education and medical care for these children, and on the other hand to improve their standard of living, supporting financially all the activities of the orphanage. The orphanage is managed by a Pentecostal Priest and a staff composed by 8 mamies and 2 educators.

The project was found in 2009 when John (the Pentecostal priest) gathered children without a family in a hut made of mud and straw. In 2009, thanks to funds gathered among acquaintances and friends, Mr. Van Donge (a Dutchman relocated in Italy) built the well and the first masonry structure. They were two dormitories, the refectory/kitchen, the pantry, toilets/showers, and a small office. After a friendship and relation of collaborative support between the President Michele Muffi and Mr. Vand Donge, the voluntary organization Annulliamo la Distanza, has entirely inherited and managed the project for 12 years. The project started when the first italian volunteer Antonella, spent a month in the building, where many other interventions and missions have then developed. They were based on the improvement of social and health conditions of beloved and appreciated guests: children. In 2013 a land near the orphanage was bought by the association and a dormitory for girls was built to expand the existing one. Furthermore the kitchen was provided with a new wood stove, safer and more ecological. In 2015 a dormitories’ expansion started and in 2017 the realization of an orphanage internal library was completed. There children were allowed to study and do recreational activities of reading in a specific space.

Annulliamo la Distanza supports the orphanage project gathering subscriptions for children long-distance adoptions, supporting them through time. Thanks to your help, Annulliamo la Distanza facilitates the access to education and medical treatments for these children. Meanwhile, AnlaDi tries to improve their life standard, supporting all the orphanage activities (nutrition, education, phycological support, materials supply, building maintenance and restoration, etc.) The building is handled by a Pentecostal priest and by a 9-person group of staff; among them there is an educator and social worker who looks after children in their growth and helps the director in administration. Then, there are the mamas who take care of children, clean and cook. There is also a custodian and a gardener/repairman. Over the years and over gaining experience in structure management and related interpersonal relations, the association work brought outstanding and irrefutable results. Children are growing and finishing their studies, a difficult dream for the majority of children living near the orphanage. Nutritional and health conditions have been continuously improving, as well as the mood and vitality og guests. We strongly believe in this project and we continue supporting and giving light to Mwangaza.

Achieved result

Despite the particularly severe difficulties caused by the Covid 19 pandemic, the adoption program continues to provide the necessary support, protection, care and education to the girls and boys of Mwangaza. After closing all schools to limit the spread of coronavirus in April 2020, government authorities decided to send back children hosted in homes  to their relatives willing to welcome them. Initially Mwangaza was completely emptied but after less than a month, thanks to the great work done by our social worker and now Director Joseph, 10 girls with serious food and health deficiencies were able to return to the structure. At the same time, for those who were unable to return, our Director monitored closely their situation and food support was provided if  necessary. We need to underline that recently Police agents are sending street children to Mwangaza with very short notice and unpredictable time. In the last year , there have been several children who lived in Mwangaza for few days, weeks or months. We can assure you that every child who crosses the gate of Mwangaza receives the same welcoming, care and attention.