Down at the Coast

‘’The current situation puts the lives of our kids at risk and idle men are taking advantage of the situation. Cases of teenage pregnancies are increasing at an extremely highrate, but we thank Tumaini for creating awareness to our girls and boys through their guidance and counseling programs’’ said Mkala, one of the guardians. 

The prolonged closure of schools in Kenya has paused many potential ills among the adolescent children. All schools closed in mid-March in the wake of Covid-19 and except for colleges and universities, other levels will remain closed at least till December! Ills such as early marriages, teen pregnancies,and the spread of STIs, just to mention a few. Coupled with this delicate situation is the need for more food because students are no longer getting their meals at school, especially those who attend boarding schools, which is the majority of our sponsored high school students.  Working with regional church, government, and community leaders,Tumaini is proactively addressing these needs and challenges. Thank you for your partnership along the way!

After the government lifted the partial lockdown, our field staff have embarked on joining regional volunteers to serve far flung regions. Last week they traveled to the coastal county of Kwale. Working with local leaders and our regional volunteer, they distributed food to 147 families (representing the 163 children that we sponsor in the region) as well as deworming of all the 163 children.  A key program during the visit was partnering with our church partners in the region in offering guidance and counseling sessions to the teenagers in the sponsorship program.

Kwale is part of several counties in the eastern coastal Kenya that are largely semi-arid and are sparely populated.  The regionis ravaged by major socio-economic challenges, limited health,and educational opportunities for majority of the children. Indeed, although some parts of the country where we started our ministry years ago have seen a slight decline in poverty levels,Kwale county still has an overall poverty level of over 70%.  It is because of the deplorable condition of most school structures, for example, that two years ago we build an elementary school for one of the communities where a significant number of our sponsored children attend. 

We have been serving in this coastal region for a few years now. I am pleased to say that we are beginning to witness some positive signs of impact.  For example, 11 of the girls who attend Tumaini International Girls High School are from Kwale.  This is a big feat considering the high number of teenage girls that are given up for marriage in the region.  Our prayer is that some of these brilliant girls attaining quality education will become leaders and serve as role models.  Already there are some exceptionally good signs of that hope becoming a reality in the near future. Please keep our staff and partners in this region in your prayers. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Hope Fund in the past few months in respond to our current unprecedented situation.  We will need to continue providing food, healthcare related services, payment for virtual education at our girls’ school, counseling, and any other emergencies in the coming months.  If you would like to donate to our Hope Fund, please do so TODAY! You can do so by going online or sending a designated check.

Thank you for caring. Thank you for your amazing partnership in giving hope to so many who deserve a hand-up.
Sincerely,


Stanley Mutunga
President & CEO