Kenya: Karundas Children's Center

KENYA HOME

LOCATION

The Karundas Children's Center is located in the central province of Kenya, about three hours' drive north of Nairobi (Kenya's capital city). The Karundas Children's Center lies on a 50-acre farm, nestled between the beautiful Aberdare ranges and Mt. Kenya.

Facilities at the Karundas Children's Center include:

• The House of Joy and Rebecca Home: home for abandoned children and HIV-infected and affected children, 4-to-10 years old.
• The House of Deborah: home for vulnerable girls 11-to-18 years old.
• The Hall Mead School
• The Karundas Dispensary

BACKGROUND

The House of Joy was initially established as a home for abandoned babies. Due to the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS (some parents thought testing HIV-positive meant immediate death for their children), the numbers of abandoned babies in the community were increasing. Mothers abandoned their newborns in local hospitals and nearby towns in the hope that someone could provide better help than they could–perhaps to spare them the shame of losing their little one to this "unspeakable disease" and the harsh judgment of society. Many of the babies tested HIV-negative and are now healthy children attending Hall Mead School.

The Rebecca House was established as a home for HIV-infected and affected children. Many adults in our communities die of HIV/AIDS-related illnesses, leaving their young, often HIV-infected children to aging grandparents who are unable to provide them with much-needed basics–such as nutritious food and prompt medical care. The home now provides care for these children and also has a successful anti-retro viral therapy program for HIV-infected children in the program.

The House of Deborah was established to meet the needs of vulnerable girl children from the immediate communities who are faced with such cultural and social challenges as forced/early marriage, sexual abuse, neglect, and school drop out.

PROGRAMS

• Child care: Children receive consistent, holistic care through the support of their housemothers and caregivers
• Education: The older children attend nearby public schools while the younger ones attend the Hall Mead School (located within the Karundas Center)
• Medical and Community Care: The Karundas Infirmary provides medical care for the children, and is now open to the children and adults from the immediate communities; providing both preventative and curative care.

The Hall Mead School

The Hall Mead School, renovated in July 2006 by a group of young people from Hall Mead School in England, is named in their honor. The team returns each summer to participate in the construction of additional classes.

The Hall Mead School provides baby class, nursery, and lower Primary school education to the younger children at the Karundas Children's Center. It is also now open to other children in need from the Karundas community.

Children at Hall Mead School are taught using the formal schooling curriculum for Kenya. The program seeks to enhance an all-around development of the children. The Hall Mead School competes with several other schools in the region and continues to show great promise.

In the future, Kids Alive Kenya plans to develop a full Primary school with grades 1-8 for the children at the Karundas homes, as well as other needy children in the communities around the Karundas Children's Center.

The Karundas Infirmary

The Karundas Center Infirmary was constructed in 2004 through the generous support of The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation. The Karundas Infirmary serves the medical needs of the children in residential care as well as individuals from the communities around the Karundas Center. It is also a referral point for children in other Kids Alive Kenya residential facilities.

Meet B*: A Kids Alive Kenya Success Story

B is one of the little ones that has gained tremendously from the KAK medical programs. He was born on August 17, 2004 to a single mother. After a few months, both mother and child began experiencing health problems. B's mother died shortly afterward; leaving little B to be cared for by a poor grandmother who was also taking care of his siblings.

B came to Kids Alive, in August 2004, a very weak child. Upon medical examination, the doctor suspected rickets as B could neither stand nor walk, and showed obviously developmental lag. Laboratory tests showed features of iron-deficiency anemia.

In the months that followed, the medical team and the caregivers ensured that B received a well-balanced diet as well as consistent physical therapy for several months. Finally, in 2005, he made his first few steps and has been walking since. B loves to play with the other children and enjoys going to school. He is now in the baby class at the Hall Mead School,