Emergency COVID-19 support for Kenyan children

We hope you, your friends and family are safe and well.

Your generosity and fast action at this critical time has meant that we've already been able to deliver emergency public health information and practical support to our most vulnerable children, young people and families in Kenya. Pictured, from left to right: 

Mercy  - Fashion Design and Dressmaking student at Seed of Hope- both her parents are casual labourers, right now most work places are closed down and it is a struggle for them to feed their children. Her food supply will last approximately one week as she will share it with her family.

Calmax  - Fashion Design and Dressmaking student at Seed of Hope -   has to work when he isn't at the training centre to pay for his rent and up keep. He was working in a hotel which has closed down due to COVID-19. The money he was earning would be saved for rent and his daily meal would be provided by Seed of Hope. His food supply will last approximately two weeks. 

Gabriel - Motor Vehicle Mechanics student at Seed of Hope -  he depends on the lunch program to eat, his parents send him part of his rent and a small amount for one meal a day which is never enough. He shares a room with another student, Christopher, who has managed to travel to his rural home to see out the pandemic. His food supply will last approximately two weeks. 

Evans - Motor Vehicle Mechanics student at Seed of Hope-  he has no one supporting him, he works when he is not at the training centre to pay for his rent and upkeep, he relied on Seed of Hope for food. The car wash he was working in has closed down so he has no way of making money. His parents are poor in the rural area they cannot support him, he fears going to his rural home because he may not be able to get bus fare to bring him back to Nairobi. His food supply will last approximately two weeks.

We've also been able to establish WhatsApp support groups for each of our classes to support the mental health of students whilst they are in isolation. Staff have been offered counselling themselves and have also been trained remotely in delivering trauma counselling for students. See photos below. 

This morning we heard that the situation at our most rural centre in Kitui is worse than we thought with staff and students very fearful for their livelihoods and what COVID-19 is going to mean for their futures. We are reviewing our response at this centre and will increase our level of support wherever possible. 

Thank you so much for making this work possible. We will keep you updated. 

Stay safe, 

Vic and Mary (UK Director and Kenya Operations Director)