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Kenya
CCF has been working in Kenya since 1960. CCF-Kenya initiatives are community-based and driven, and are designed to encourage active community participation and involvement. Programmes include health, nutrition, sanitation, micro-enterprise, education and early childhood development programmes. They are located mainly in rural areas. Over 250 children in CCF Kenya projects are sponsored through ChildFund Ireland.
Health and Sanitation
Clean, safe water is essential to a child's health, development and a family's ability to be self-sustaining. Therefore, CCF-Kenya has designated water as an ongoing priority. The Kenyan water rig decreases the cost of putting new water systems in areas of greatest need, making water a more affordable possibility. CCF-Kenya plans with each community to make sure their water needs are addressed. Water management committees are formed, and committee members are trained on the operation and management of the well, ensuring that the community fully understands and has ownership of the operation and repair of the well. With additional financial support from Irish Aid, ChildFund Ireland is working with CCF Kenya to improve the water supply in Migwani District and has recently completed a project supporting children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Rusinga Island in Lake Victoria.
Education and Early Childhood Development
In Kenya, CCF has supported a wide range of health and education programmes for children and communities. The Kenyan government recently implemented free primary education for all children, resulting in the enrolment of 1.5 million children who previously did not attend school. Although the free education initiative has removed financial barriers from the pursuit of education, the schools are facing congestion in classrooms, lack of sufficiently trained teachers, and inadequate learning materials. CCF-Kenya continues to support education by assisting with physical facilities and providing recommended schoolbooks, desks and supplies to schools with greatest needs. Additionally, for children who are unable to attend formal schools, CCF-Kenya will continue to provide non-formal education alternatives, such as adult literacy, especially in pastoral communities.
Emergencies
CCF-Kenya provides quick response to emergencies in affiliated communities. This year, CCF-Kenya responded when flooding severely damaged two of CCF-Kenya's operational areas. In response to the flooding, which left 4,400 people affected by extensive destruction and potential spread of disease, CCF-Kenya provided the needed drugs, food, blankets, repair materials and community mobilisation guidance to clear blocked waterways and clean up after the floods. CCF-Kenya continues to implement successfully innovative programmes that focus on the well-being of children through community based efforts.
