Mission
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“I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink.”
The program provides food to families that are headed by elderly guardians who are unable to work, or child headed households, where the primary caregiver is under the age of 18 and still eligible to attend school to allow him or her the opportunity to complete his or her education.
We also began a feeding program in nine schools. Currently, we feed over 5,500 children a noontime meal every school day. Sometimes this is the only meal a child may have.
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
The stigma of AIDS, and more so of being an AIDS orphan, is a tremendous burden on these children. They are reduced to living with whoever will take them in; an elderly grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, or distant relative. But their status in the household is sometimes little more than that of a servant. They are strangers in their own land. Through the sponsorship program this situation is rapidly changing. Rather than set the child apart even further and creating jealousy by offering support only to the orphan, our goal is to foster care and concern for these children through support of the family unit and the community.
“I was naked and you clothed me.”
Many of the children had not been attending school because they lacked a uniform or because the hand-me-down uniform they had was so torn and threadbare the child was too embarrassed to wear it. While primary education is free, a uniform is required. This uniform is not supplied by the government but must be purchased. The program provides for a new uniform and a pair of shoes at the beginning of each school term.
In some instances the uniform was the only clothing the child had. We also collect good, serviceable clothing here and bring over whenever anyone from the States visits Kilimambogo. We are then able to provide the children with clothing they can wear when they are not in school.
“I was sick and you visited me.”
Many of the children were suffering from malnutrition and poor hygiene. Medical help was unavailable to most of them. But thanks to the efforts of one of the sponsors in our program, Dr. Janus Madej, the sponsored children are now able to receive medical attention at the local clinic. Dr. Madej sent the word out to his colleagues. Various medications were donated and brought over personally by Dr. Madej. He worked with the local hospital, setting up an accounting system whereby the doctors could use the medications for any patient but the value of that medication would be noted in a ledger to offset any expense incurred by one of our sponsored child.
“I was in prison and you came to me.”
These children live in invisible prisons. Many have been denied access to education because of financial difficulties, abusive circumstances, lack of proximity to a school in the area, or physical health. Where we have been able, we have assessed the need and sought to remedy the situation. Education is key to release from the prison of poverty. We provide food for better health, medical services when necessary, and communication with the guardian to ensure the child will not be denied the opportunity to attend school.
In 2006 construction began on a new secondary school. It was completed in 2008 and can accommodate all 4 upper division classes (Freshman – Senior). A laboratory and computer training center were also built. It has become one of the premiere schools in the area.
For some of the children, secondary education will not be a viable option. We also have a Next Step program in place to offer vocational training and apprenticeships with local tradesmen in mechanical, dressmaking, carpentry and masonry trades.