It is hard for us to imagine the poverty that some children suffer every single day. In Kenya, generations are being wiped out through: AIDS, famine and drought, leaving behind millions of helpless orphans who have no other choice but to scavenge through bins just to survive another day. Children as young as eight are left fending not only for themselves, but for their younger siblings too.

 


Marrianne Stevens, of the parish of St Pauls Church, Woodford Bridge, discovered the appalling conditions these children live in and was  determined to do all she could to help them. She said that “as a Christian, I felt it was my duty to do something. I had an epiphany, it was like God touched me- I knew what I had to do."

 

Along with the rest of the parishioners, she actively fundraises, and has done since learning of the charity in 2000. Many churches support UTUGI Children’s Project and the helpers at St Pauls raise money for the feeding programmes which are located in towns such as Kutus and Kerugoya. This system provides money to run the outposts: children can visit these outposts and receive a hot meal once a week and shelter for a few hours. Although this may not seem like much, it makes a huge difference to their lives.

 


Money also goes to acquiring very basic accommodation centres. These centres will keep some of the children from the dangers of the street at night. Many more centres are needed, but it is a start to helping these vulnerable children.

 


Some of the fundraising includes: table top sales, loose change appeals, craft clubs where the produce is sold and quizzes every season.

 


We are exposed to so many poverty stories that we often become immune to them; but if everybody could play their part like Marrianne, surely the world would be a better place.