OVC (opharns & vulnerable children)

Guiding and Counselling session with Orphans in Gumbesi

Orphans and vulnerable children are the entry point for E.G.C work in Gumbesi village. In a country where one in five young children is malnourished and one in three shows signs of stunted growth, 16% of children die before finishing grade school. In a needs assessment survey,  95 households of Gumbesi village, 92% reported that their children were hungry and 26% had lost at least one child under the age of five to a preventable disease such as pneumonia or diarrhoea. Most children suffer kwashiorkor owing to malnutrition. About 20% had at least one family member with HIV/AIDS. Over a third of the adults never attended school.

The government area assistant chief presenting clothes to orphans

The government officials, Area chief presenting clothes to orphans

What Life is Like for Our Children

• Lack of basic services such as tap water, toilets, electricity or heat. Many homes lack furniture. The children sleep on folded cardboard.(mats)
• Parents often live their children at home when they leave to find work.
• Impossible to keep living spaces clean. No soap or cleaning products and very limited water. Walls and floors are often made of mud. Insects, bugs, rats and mice are common.
  

  over 70 Orphans received clothes to put on

  

  over 70 Orphans received clothes to put on.

• Because of the dirt, skin conditions are frequent, especially among young children.  
  

  Orphans and Vulnerable children received school supplies in gumbesi Village

  

  This family of seven and other 20 total Orphans received school supplies and School uniforms

  

• cooking is done on an open flame (on a three stones); many children suffer burns. This causes indoor air pollution that can lead to respiratory problems, other health issues and death.
• No clean water is available.
• Rooms are small and many adults and children live in one room.
• Contagious diseases including HIV/AIDS, STI’s and respiratory infections spread easily.
• Food is bought as needed. If a family has no money, they don’t eat.
• Families have no antibiotics, pain
  

  Okinyi and Junior been going to school with torn clothes but now they are in class with their new school uniforms

  relievers or other basic medicines when children fall sick.

• Families pile up used clothing for warmth. Blankets, if owned, are thin and dirty.

All children we have encountered have different stories, stories that will fill your eyes with tears and break your heart. Many of our children lost their parents to HIV/AIDS, STI’s, related illnesses, some were abandoned, infected, affected, Stigmatized, and others were failing to thrive in their home situation and the number keeps increasing daily. The E.G.C is a timely project that will rescue many children and give them a family to belong to through providing a home for these Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Getting a meal for these children is not a guarantee and as we have found out many go to bed on an empty stomach. We endeavour to start a daily feeding programme and establish a rescue centre with facilities.  Pray and support us as we venture along this exciting path. The Bible says in Ps. 127.3 ‘Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward’. We should all come together and nurture this precious gift that God freely gave to mankind as a buddle of joy. There is no child that should be subjected to the kind of life the children of Gumbesi village go through. God has given you and me a sober mind and in serving him, let’s remember these children and give them a smile.

You can give your gift to these children by feeding them, buying a book for them or a pair of uniform, school fees or provide an alternative land for the centre to relocate.

For more information on how you can help, kindly visit the EGC website at www.edengumbesicentre.org Or info@edengumbesicentre.org   ,   anthonymsongo@edengumbesicentre.org

Call Mobile No. +254710102381 , +254750102381

Orphans and vulnerable children at Gumbesi village escorted by their care givers at a come together meeting of the first quarter 2016. The challenges they face are very huge. they are inneed of school supplies, Uniforms,School fees and personal effects. you can support these kids and bring hope and Transform their lives, make smile on their faces.