Our Strategy

At Project AIDS Orphan we believe that the well being of a child is closely related to the overall health of his or her community. By supporting orphans within their own families and communities instead of traditional orphanages, we are not only keeping cultural heritage, traditions, history and family values intact, we are protecting the future of that region. With care, education and training, these same orphans can grow up to be key members of their communities by caring for their elders, raising children, starting businesses, earning income and investing in and giving back to their region. In short, we are building a lasting community of educated adults who live on their family land and are fully integrated in  their culture with a sense of place, a sense of ownership, and a real sense of pride.

Due to the large numbers of children in need and the speed at which this number is growing, maintaining these children in their home village is also the most efficient and effective way to help rather than relocating to an orphanage. By doing this, we can support many more children and provide stability with extended family members and the community where they have grown up. For $25 a month school fees, food, books, school supplies, school uniforms, annual physical exams, and health evaluation.

In 2005, through our "Cows, Goats & Chickens" campaign, we started a farm to supply the small community of Nyakach with a sustainable livelihood and a reliable source of income. This project has since surpassed all expectations and has become a model for economic growth, education and a grass roots family business that can be passed down from generation to generation.

In addition, emergency funds will be provided through the program to pay for the occasional roof that needs repair or an extra bag of maize when drought hits.

The need is so great and the contrast between our plenty is so huge that we hope others will be drawn to this simple way to help. We hope to expand this program to more villages to include hundreds more children.

Project Aids Orphan is tax exempt pursuant to Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), and most donations are tax deductible.

The Problem

The AIDS pandemic has devastated children on the African continent, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya alone, there is estimated to be 4.2 million orphans who will have lost their parents to AIDS by 2010 if current HIV infection rates do not decrease drastically. This means that every third child in Kenya will be an orphan.

Extended family systems in the African culture have traditionally provided support for orphans. AIDS, combined with other pressures such as urban migration, is pushing the extended family system to a breaking point in the worst affected communities.

As a result, many AIDS orphans are looked after by their grandparents. But the grandparents themselves may be in need of health care and a working income. The death of a grandparent may create a situation where there is no one in the extended family willing or able to care for the children.

Children who lose a parent to AIDS suffer the grief and confusion experienced by any orphan. However, their loss is often worsened by prejudice and social exclusion, including the loss of education, health care, even of the property they are entitled to inherit. The resulting poverty and isolation can create a vicious circle, placing them at greater risk of contracting HIV themselves.

 

Our Needs

SPECIFIC NEED OF CHILDREN OF NYKACH	ANNUAL COST IN KENYAN SHILLINGS	ANNUAL COST IN US DOLLARS
FOOD	80000	$1066.66
SCHOOL FEES	160000	2133.33
SCHOOL UNIFORM	20000	266.66
PENCILS	200	2.66
BOOKS	45000	600.00
SCHOOL BAGS	2000	26.66
CLOTHING	20000	266.66
HEALTH CARE	32500	433.33
MATTRESS	8000	106.66
BLANKETS	5700	76.00
MOSQUITO NETS	3800	50.66
CARETAKER	12000	160.00
TRANSPORT	15000	200.00
FUEL	7500	100.00
OUTREACH	30000	400.00
BANK CHARGES	1000	13.33
TOTAL	442700	5902.66

© 2007 Project Aids Orphan.