It was the only way of providing essential foodstuffs to children from impoverished families. But Dignified Children has become something much bigger. Through our education programme, children's camps, girls empowerment programme, gender-based violence programme and community based projects we aim to provide the most vulnerable children with a much brighter future. By tailoring our approach to respond to the needs of each child individually, we increase every child’s chance of success. Let’s meet a few of these great kids…..
Kamau lives in the crowded Korogocho slum where poverty, crime and ill-health are a daily reality. When he first walked through our doors last year, he was very nervous. All he wanted was the chance to learn to read and go to school. Kamau took part in our annual summer camp which we run in partnership with Destiny Shapers. Fast forward one year and Kamua got his wish. In fact, he has recently finished reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and you guessed it - is also in school full-time!
Wambui is a teenager with big dreams from Tambaya village in central Kenya. When she first joined our girls empowerment programme she was on the brink of dropping out of school into a very uncertain future. She was shy and lacked the self-confidence to stand-up for herself in a traditionally male-dominated community. But all that has changed. After working hard on her self-confidence and communication skills for the last 9 months, Wambui is not just staying in school but wants to become a teacher in future.
We have never met Mwende in person. At only 14 years old, she has witnessed extreme physical violence in the place she should feel most safe, her home. When it became unbearable during the recent Coronavirus lockdown, Mwende knew she needed help. After texting our SOS number, she joined our new gender-based violence programme. Together with our partners in the Mwanzo Mpya Hub, we were able to provide her with the psychological support she needed in an online safe space. Now as restrictions start to be eased, Mwende is better able to cope with any future instances of gender-violence and importantly - she is determined not to become a victim herself!
To find out how you can help more children like Kamau, Wambui & Mwende please click here.