Soaring living costs in Kenya are pushing families deeper into poverty. As some families in our Family Care program become self-sufficient, we're preparing to assist new families facing urgent challenges. We’re asking you to help with stabilizing some of the most critical situations.
Food security is the most common challenge among families being considered for support. Maize prices, alongside fuel and so many other things, have nearly doubled since the pandemic began. Meanwhile, wages and business income have not risen, and taxes are up. It's a difficult moment for many.
Helping families grow more food is one of the first things UKR focuses on at the start of Family Care. Other early actions include addressing glaring unmet medical needs, and ensuring children are able to attend school.
Our ultimate goal with new families is, of course, a meaningful livelihood. But this requires a learning process, thoughtful planning, and time.
Soon, UKR's social workers will be visiting and holistically assessing shortlisted families. We're planning to start working with 50 of the very neediest families - which will include 300 or so family members - by January.
We are now searching for new sponsors, and we welcome you to step forward as one, but we know that with 50 new families the process of securing sponsorships will run into next year. Yet, as soon as these families come on board we will be seeing critical situations urgently in need of attention and resources.
We’re appealing for your help to assist new families before we find sponsorship funding. The kinds of immediate aid that each unique family needs will often include a few of the following examples:
$80 for emergency food aid (over several months)
$100 for farm tools and inputs
$150 for help clearing school fees arrears, so children return to school
$60 to boost an existing micro-business
$50 for several students' textbooks & study materials
$35 for a solar light, for studying at night
$40 for blankets and mosquito nets
$15 for one girls’ sanitary pads (for six months)
Our goal is to raise $12,000 for this before the end of summer. Whatever amount you can give, large or small, will help bring immediate, impactful changes to the situations of deeply struggling children and families.
We intentionally do not share any photos or individual stories unless there is dignity, pride, or success in the picture. The new families won't meet this standard - yet. So, the images you see in this email demonstrate what we can do, but not the dire situations families face now. For that, words must suffice.
Please consider contributing toward this cause. You can give through the button below, or send a check to Friends of Kenya Rising at 3 Echo Lane N, Sherman, CT, 06784.
