Feed 1,800 orphaned children in rural Kenya.

Hundreds of children suffer from severe malnutrition when they first approach Makindu Children's Centre. Malnutrition then makes their weakened bodies vulnerable to parasitic and bacterial infections, which run rampant in the Makindu area and sub Sahara Africa. If they survive malnutrition at all, they frequently have life-long complications of growth or mental retardation, bony and muscular weakness, and weakened heart and other organs. On the outside, many malnourished kids will have patchy, unhealthy looking hair, yellowed and vacant eyes, swollen bellies full of worms, dull-looking teeth. To put them on the road to health, these kids are given a daily nutritious meal at the Centre of vitamin-enriched porridge, supplemented with maize, beans, and fresh vegetables grown in the Centre's large garden. Miraculously, in as little as 4-6 months, there will be white toothy smiles on their faces, curiosity in their bright clear eyes, healthy hair (that we keep shaved to avoid lice infestation) and much healthier skin. It all begins with consistent, nutritious food!

In tandem with proper and consistent daily nutrition, the Centre treats any illnesses upon arrival and then provides regular health check-ups. Because these kids have been traumatized by a life leading to malnutrition, Makindu provides the children with access to social workers and mental health professionals to counsel them beyond the trauma that they have suffered. Once these kids have recovered their physical and mental health, Makindu makes sure they get enrolled in school and provides the tuition, fees and materials necessary to finish high school or vocational school.

With this combined well rounded approach to overall physical and mental health, Makindu is instrumental in transforming the once malnourished and sickly children into happy, healthy, educated, productive members of the community. 

Thank you for helping us feed the children, and ultimately saving their lives.