The children’s home in Kathonzweni was founded in 1979, along with several other such homes all over Kenya. It was built by sponsors from the Netherlands, who also supported it financially up until 2012. At first 20 children were staying here, but over the following years the number increased, so that at a certain point there were 160 children to take care of. In 2012 the organisation AICCAD managing the Dutch funds announced that the centres will receive less and less money each year and should take care of the financing themselves or they would have to close. Unfortunately the latter happened and over the following 4 years almost all children’s homes that had been sponsored by this organisation had been closed. In December 2016 the centre received the last payment, that had decreased in comparison to 2012 to about 40% of the original sum. Thanks to donations from one-time sponsors like food or quarterly charity from the local church, the centre was able to survive until today. Since 2002 the centre is in the capable managing hands of the Sammys (a married couple living constantly with the orphans) and supported by Lucia, Francis and other helpers (here you can find more about the employees).
The centre tries to grow their own vegetables (currently tomatoes, kale and cabbage) and keep their own livestock (chickens, cows and goats). But, if the land should become infertile or a disease should strike the region, there is no money for fertilizer or plant protection products. Neither is there any money for the quite expensive visits to the veterinarian, for medicine for the livestock or a change in pasture. We have a small field we have to take care of with work and money as well as two greenhouses (from the year 2000). There’s potential but we lack the resources.
When Moyo4children joined the supporters in 2015 the children’s home had 59 children under their roof.
But still, 2016 was not a good year for Moyo when it comes to sponsoring. The number of children has been decreased to 25. These kids are mostly orphans or semi-orphans saved from extremely difficult living conditions. Every one of them has experienced violence from their families or relatives, be it physically, sexually or mentally. For them, there is no alternative to life in this centre.