You are making a difference in Kenya!
A glimpse of what your sponsored child’s life is like in Kenya:
HOME LIFE
- In cities, people live in apartments. Rural housing styles vary by tribe. “Zaramo” houses are made of grass. “Rundi” are beehive-shaped, made of reed and bark. “Chagga” homes are constructed of sticks, and “Nyamwezi” are round homes with thatched roofs.
- Polygamy is a traditional practice but is becoming less predominant. Traditionally, a man built a separate home for each of his wives and then a home for himself.
- Children’s upbringing is often communal, and the responsibility for them is shared among aunts, uncles, and grandparents.
SCHOOL AND EDUCATION
- Primary school tuition for children ages 7 to 14 is free. Secondary school for children ages 14 to 18 is economically out of reach for most families.
- Only half of all children complete the first seven years of schooling.
- Kenya also suffers from a lack of qualified teachers.
KENYAN CULTURE
- The country gained its name from Mt. Kenya, which is located in the central highlands. The Great Rift Valley is one of the largest features of Kenya geography. It’s a steep canyon cutting through the highland country.
- Children are often seen as a symbol of wealth.
- Kenya is home to 43 traditional cultures, and each has its own traditions related to music. Congolese music is a major influence on the cultural scene in Kenya. Called “lingala,” it features bass guitar, several lead singers, and active dancing.
COUNTRY INFO
Kenya lies on the equator on the East African Rift, with a diverse and expansive terrain that extends roughly from Lake Victoria to Lake Turkana and further southeast to the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the northwest, Ethiopia to the north, and Somalia to the northeast. The capital, Nairobi, is a regional commercial hub. Despite significant economic growth, poverty and growing wealth disparity continue to exist. Kenya is also affected by a large presence of refugees from South Sudan and Somalia.
- Capital: Nairobi
- Population: 43,178,100
- Language: English and Kiswahili
FH IN KENYA
In 1976, FH began working in Kenya in response to a devastating drought. FH provided emergency supplies and relief in Marsabit County. Since then, FH has focused efforts on long-term development work including livelihoods, sanitation, water, health, nutrition, child development, and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support.
AS A CHILD SPONSOR:
- You are reducing maternal and infant mortality through high-impact nutrition interventions and increased access to healthcare, especially in rural communities.
- You are improving water and sanitation infrastructure and rehabilitation, as well as assisting communities and the government on the use and management of these clean water structures.
- You are improving access to inclusive and quality education through infrastructure development and rehabilitation, provision of basic school items, and school fee support.
