Karai
The Children of Karai
A political, economic, and humanitarian crisis erupted in Kenya after incumbent President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of the presidential election held on December 27, 2007. Supporters of Kibaki's opponent, Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement, alleged electoral manipulation.
In addition to staging several nonviolent protests, opposition supporters went on a violent rampage in several parts of the country. Targeted ethnic violence escalated and at first was directed mainly against Kikuyu people – the community of which Kibaki is a member – living outside their traditional settlement areas, especially in the Rift Valley Province. This violence peaked with the killing of over 30 unarmed civilians in a church near Eldoret on New Years Day. Some of the Kikuyu also engaged in violence against groups supportive of Odinga, primarily Luos and Kalenjin, especially in the areas surrounding Nakuru and Naivasha.
Children at a school in Eldoret were burnt out and, after suffering great hardship, were eventually transported far from home to the relative safety of Karai School near Nairobi.
Child Sponsorship at Karai
Did you know that it costs just £36.50 for a primary school age child and £39.40 for a secondary school age child, to live in Kenya, per month. To us in the UK, that might be the equivalent of a new item of clothing or gym membership each month, but to the children and young people of Karai, this is their life and future.
Sponsoring a child in Kenya provides education for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity. It enables ambitions such as becoming a doctor, nurse, teacher or lawyer to become a reality. As an organisation with a Christian ethos, Asterias believes that faith in action, through child sponsorship and education in a Christian environment, can not only demonstrate God's love, but also shape the future of Kenya through this generation.
During a question and answer session with the older girls of Karai, one girl asked, "I am HIV positive, what can I do to survive?" Knocked for six, the response of the team members was, that anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs and a balanced diet were key to survival with HIV AIDS. Child sponsorship can ensure that medical bills to provide these ARVs are covered and that each child will receive a nutritious meal every day.
Monicah Kanini - was born on 4 September 1996 and lives at Karai Children's Vocational Centre, Kenya. She is orphaned, with only one older brother, and has no other relatives. For four years now Monicah has been suffering from rheumatic arthritis. During cold periods of the year she suffers from pains in all her joints: her legs, arms and shoulders. As Karai is situated well over 1,500m above sea level, the days can be very cold during the rainy season and even more so during the nights and early mornings when she has to be on her way to school.
Monicah is a lively, resourceful and intelligent girl. She attends a local High School, Form 1. Her favourite subject is biology and she enjoys singing and acting in a "drama group". She would very much like to become a journalist and is currently writing short stories about life and her dreams at present. She needs a lot of expensive medicine regularly for her pains the costs of which is about £45 per month. An additional physiotherapeutic treatment would help her a lot - but this is not within the normal budget of the Home. The treatment in a nearby hospital and the transport to it are expensive.
We currently have sponsorship for Monicah for a year and are looking for individual or group sponsorship beyond that. If you can donate any amount per month to The Asterias Organisation to contribute towards Monicah's treatment, please contact us at: info@asterias.org
Child sponsorship can enable you to have a personal relationship with a child in Kenya, through written correspondence, enabling you to keep up to date with how they grow, progress and benefit from your monthly donation. It costs just £20 per month, which is less than 70p per day to sponsor a child. The whole £20 goes to the children of Karai and contributes towards schooling, daily meals and medical fees. Asterias, as an organisation, will cover the cost of administration fees, ensuring that all of your £20 reaches the children. In return, you will receive a photograph of your child and some information about them, including their date of birth, interests and ambitions. You will receive an updated photograph and letter from your sponsor child twice a year. You may also reply in writing. Methods of payment include cash, cheque or standing order and can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis.
For more information please contact us at: info@asterias.org
Counselling
Asterias is currently considering funding a Counsellor at Karai. This would involve follow-up on an initial counseling needs assessment that we funded recently for the children who are experiencing PTSD and other psychological issues. That assessment recommended that counseling for teachers should be made mandatory and the teachers should undergo training on how to handle traumatised children and those from special backgrounds. There is need for psycho-social support counseling in the Karai community where the children live. More motivational speakers should be used to psycho-educate the children in areas of self image and alcohol and drug abuse. The needs assessment stated: "It is very evident that many children in Karai need psychological therapy due to the various traumas they have experienced in life. In due course this should be able to assist the children to cope with their challenges in a healthy manner."
