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Gifts in Kind Support
ChildsLife has found that a very effective way to work in Eastern Europe is through the distribution of goods. ChildsLife, in cooperation with the Romanian Child Protection office, has developed the ESSENTIAL Support program. With this program ChildsLife provides material support to institutions providing social care (such as homeless shelters and centers for handicap- ped), schools, hospitals and families in need. Living conditions in institutions are structurally improved by providing furniture, hygiene & household supplies and household appliances. Educational materials, furniture and toys are sent to kinder- gartens and schools. Families in need receive much needed food packs, hygiene products, clothing and household supplies. In addition, ChildsLife provided the regional designated covid hospital in Barlad in Romania, with a large supply of medical goods such as masks, gloves and protective clothing. ChildsLife also furnished the newly erected regional laboratory for covid testing with hygiene products and brand new furniture. ChildsLife sends regular transports with goods in support of the program in Romania and Moldova. Also programs of partner NGOs in various countries such as Ghana and Burkina Faso are
supported with relief goods from the ChildsLife warehouse. Unfortunately due to transport restrictions around covid19, ChildsLife was unable to support partner NGOs with relief goods in 2020.
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Education
Poverty is still the biggest barrier in access to education.
To learn to read, write, do math and to improve knowledge and understanding should be part of every child’s life. Education is the key to a better future. ChildsLife makes education accessible to children and adolescents; from kindergarten, to secondary school or a vocational training institute. ChildsLife also runs afterschool education centers in Eastern Europe. In Kenya, ChildsLife builds and renovates schools in slums, remote rural regions, such as Makueni, and various Maasai communities. ChildsLife supplies teaching aids, school materials, books and school furniture. ChildsLife assists with school meals which are often the only meals children will have a day. In addition to the school curriculum, ChildsLife works with girls, boys, parents and schools to prevent FGM practices in rural parts of Kenya.
In 2020, schools and other learning institutions remained closed for a better part of the year, due to covid restrictions. School closures carry high social and economic costs for people across communities, but it has severely impacted vulnerable children particularly. Not only in terms of learning deficits but also jeopardising children’s health, nutrition and safe/protection.
Education Projects with Maasai
For a traditional tribe like the Maasai, education has become vital. Due to changing climates and modern lifestyle encroaching on their traditions, a future is no longer only in keeping a herd but by educating children. Unfortunately, Kenya does not have enough schools to provide an education for everyone.
In addition, in the poorest of Maasai communities the costs of an education are too high for parents. That is why ChildsLife has supported various communities and a range of schools, both primary and secondary, in these remote areas.
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