Educate and Empower Street Children in Kenya

In honor of your support of the Children & Youth Empowerment Centre in Kenya, we composed a special version of The 12 Days of Christmas. We think even those who don’t celebrate Christmas will enjoy! 

• “On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a bunny in the dinner pot.” 

 Penn State researchers found protein from meat is crucial for children's brain development & PSU ag students determined rabbits are the most cost-effective meat producers.  The CYEC now has more than 50 rabbits, providing income and protein.

• “On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

The CYEC opened its nursery school program to the local community in 2012. Now these children can enter primary school ready to learn.

•  “On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

Volunteers from US and Kenya joined together in a mural arts program for the CYEC last summer. A recent Penn State grad raised funds and local artists lent their skills so children at the Centre could express themselves and enjoy colorful murals. See: http://www.facebook.com/CyecKenyaMuralArtsProject?fref=ts

•  “On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

 A couple Kansas State students have created a company to import and sell the shoulder bags made by the young women at the Centre. The graduates of the tailoring program can earn and save, thanks to these sales! See: http://www.facebook.com/RafikiBags

•   “On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

A volunteer from Australia worked with CYEC volunteers to implement a life skills program developed by Penn State faculty. After gaining greater self-awareness, the first class graduated this fall.

• On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

With the support of PSU faculty and students, several youth have learned how to cut and bale hay, as well as build manual balers. Their successful business has been in operation for nearly a year.

• “On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me seven children studying, six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

Children at the CYEC value education and strive to succeed. In exams this year, more than one-fourth of the primary children placed in the top 10% of their class! We also have 17 students in secondary school, thanks to their efforts and your support!

• “On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me eight kids a working, seven children studying, six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

To increase sustainability and give the children & youth responsibilities, production (food, clothes, furniture) and chores (cleaning, etc.) are handled nearly entirely by the youth & children. Volunteers from KSU helped create a system of exchange to track these activities.

• “On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me nine machines for workshops, eight kids a working, seven children studying, six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

The metalworking and woodworking workshops have been fully renovated and equipped, thanks to a grant from the government of Japan. We are hopeful that with this equipment we will be able to train the street youth to a competitive level at the same time creating an avenue for income generation.

• “On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ten volunteers mentoring, nine machines for workshops, eight kids a working, seven children studying, six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

Friends of the CYEC in Kenya have formed the Zawadi Society, a group of volunteers who mentor and tutor children at the Centre. It’s so important for the kids to have a special someone who cares about them!

• “On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me eleven greens a growing, ten volunteers mentoring, nine machines for workshops, eight kids a working, seven children studying, six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

With two small greenhouses and a shamba (large garden) the CYEC youth produce enough veggies to supply the Centre. This provides fresh produce for the children and skills and income for the youth.

• “On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me twelve youth succeeding, eleven greens a growing, ten volunteers mentoring, nine machines for workshops, eight kids a working, seven children studying, six youth a baling, five months of life skills, four girls a sewing, three paint brushes, two preschoolers playing & learning and a bunny in the dinner pot.”

The goal of the CYEC is to develop the potential of these children & youth so they can lead happy, productive lives. Your support helps us meet this goal!