Reflections from visiting LittleDrops Orphans in Kenya

This was written by Jane Koinange, a Core Volunteer and the Country Manager for Kenya.

In sub-Saharan Africa millions of people lose their lives to AIDS and other related causes resulting in a growing orphan population of over 12 million children under the age of 18. These orphans, traumatized by the death of their parents from HIV AIDS are often thrown into desperate poverty. For many children, the loss of one or both parents brings stigmatization by family and neighbors, an end to schooling and destitution. About 40 per-cent are raised by grandparents, while 30 percent are cared for by orphanages.

During my recent trip to Kenya, I met an 80-year-old grandmother raising her 5 grandchildren. Although she was going through severe financial hardship amongst many other challenges, she told me that living with her orphaned grandchildren brought back good memories, more so that the children felt loved and secure with grandma. LittleDrops Orphanage Fund respects this unbelievable act of self-sacrifice on the part of such families because frequently it pushes them over the edge since they have just enough for themselves and suddenly they have to take on more responsibilities. The situation is dire but not a helpless one, thanks to your kind contributions, LittleDrops is making a huge difference.

I also met Michael, an orphan who lost both parents five years ago. Since then he has had the full responsibility of caring for his 3 siblings and has barely managed to remain enrolled in school. He was happy to receive the good news that LittleDrops will provide tuition and school uniform for his siblings and himself.

LittleDrops has also sparked motivation in the heart of a young local named Ayuba, a 26-year-old and principal of Gerizim Academy. He has taken in orphans in his school providing them education, shelter and food. With the help of LittleDrops Orphanage Fund they were able to buy an electric generator, and the children can now study at night.

How we snatched 3 young lives from the claws of death...

This is how it started. We got this email from one of the homes we support in Ghana:

dear brother kwakye,

...four little boys have been sent to the home from the northern region after they lost their parents in the recent ethnic clashes during the political upheaval. these children are terribly sick and are on admission to the hospital at offinso if you know this place. they dont have health insurances and we need to assist with medications with is badly needed. we have no other person to turn to in case of such emergencies.at a just ended meeded with the executives, i was reminded to send you this special request for some assistances to redeem the situation of the children.. please brother, if there is any assistance from your end kindly let us know what you could do.we are hoping to hear from you.

i have sold my phone today to buy drugs for them and it is impossible to reach me on phone.

i shall be looking forward to hearing from you .

jim

A few days later we got this sad follow-up

dear brother kwakye,
...

i want to thank you so much for the concern of littledrops, however, i am so saddened to tell you that one of the children died in my arms on friday and was buried on saturday morning at 6.30am. this was indeed the saddest moment in my life as i watched the child close his tiny eyes as he passed out!!!ashan is a place that teaches me lessons each time and each day as i see what really is PAIN.

the kids are deeply saddened and are troubled as they know that they have lost a beloved brother.

we are so much concerned about the lives of the other three children, and each day goes by with no support coming in to their rescue.a church donated some cash towards the purchase of drugs on the day the child died and but we are in need of money to save the three.

as i mentioned to you earlier, i shall be most redeemed if you and the board could come to the aid of the three as i have explained that our hospitals dont run charity no matter who is is concerned.i have gone to the administrator several times but he keeps saying they dont have the drugs to supply and if even they have we will have to pay cash down since all patience without health insurances are not guaranteed health care.
...
accept our love and best wishes.

jim

They needed $1,200 altogether. they already got $200 from a church. LittleDrops sent them the balance $1,000. We just got this response. Finally, signs of good news.

Dear Brother Kwakye,On behalf of the executive board, management and staff and on behalf of all the children, i wish to write to thank you all so dearly for the assistance provided when the home was in distressed with funds to assist the little one in the hospital.

It was a testing moment in the lives of the people who work at ashan, but God blessed us so much when we got to know that little drops orphanage funds was there to rescue the situation.

I should have written several days ago to express gratitude to you all who came together to redeem the situation but i was bereaved a few days ago.I lost my grandfather and was kept in my hometown awaiting funeral arrangements.I have just returned home and want to take this opportunity to say thank you so very much.

By the grace of god the children are responding to treatment and drugs available are helping them so much and we are happy to see them eating so well.
...
I wish you all well and thank you for helping the needy around africa.
Regards from,Jim


Please keep these children and their lost parents and brother in your thoughts.

We would like to sincerely thank all our volunteers, donors, advocates and friends who make it possible for LittleDrops to help those who need it most. Thank You! Thank You!! Thank You!!!