There are more than 800,000 orphans and vulnerable children living in Kenya’s Western Province - more than half of all children enrolled at some primary schools are orphans. These children are extremely vulnerable because of child abuse, HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty, which are forcing at least three out of every five children to live or work on streets of urban centres in Western Province. These children experience extreme hardship and often lack access to basic services such as healthcare, social welfare and education.
The Orphans and Vulnerable Children Rights Development project was established by WEAEP in 2004 to meet the needs of these children. The project aims to promote and protect their rights and create a society in which their rights are understood and respected. The project will also enable them to acquire practical and vocational skills for self-reliance, encouraging them to look beyond day-to-day survival to an educated and skilled future.
WEAEP runs two Drop-in Centres in the towns of Kakamega and Mumias for street and working children, and two Child Support Centres in the rural districts of Makunga and Navakholo for orphans and abused children. The four centres provide support for at least 1,200 children at any one time. The services provided by the centres include: education and vocational training; rehabilitation services including counselling and therapy; school enrollment and support; legal advice and support; family reunification/placement; income generation for women; and capacity building in child protection for staff, community members and local organisations. |
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