Violet’s mother is seriously ill with tuberculosis and can hardly work. Her father is not in the picture. To survive, the girl used to spend whole days at the dump, collecting plastic and charcoal to sell. Constant hunger left her exhausted and often sick. At our center she finally eats well and can attend 4th grade. Violet is very artistic – she loves to sing and dance.

Kennedy’s mother died when he was very young. His father remarried, but his stepmother treats him badly and never managed to love him or give him a mother’s care. The boy is suffering.
Kennedy should be in 2nd grade, but he is not attending school now. There is no money for a uniform, books, or school meals. The boy is often hungry.

Jayden is a double orphan. He now lives with a guardian but does not go to school. The reason is typical for the slums: there is simply no money. There is also no money for food, so Jayden often goes hungry.

Emmanuel studies at Lilian’s school. His father struggles with alcoholism and left the family. His mother is alone and can hardly make ends meet; there is almost nothing to eat. This forced the boy to wander through the slums, collecting scrap metal to sell. With this little money he buys modest food for himself and his family.

Erick is in 5th grade at Lily’s school and lives with both parents. Sadly, his father uses harsh methods of discipline. The boy suffers from physical punishment and is often kicked out of the house. Once the very person who should protect him broke his arm; it healed on its own, crooked and untreated.
At our center Erick finds what he misses most at home: safety and peace.

If we had to describe this child’s life in one word, it would be “suffering”. Desmond learned about loss far too early – his mother died when he was very young. He has lived with HIV since birth and must take medication every day. He needs a special diet that does not interfere with his treatment, and at Kili Center he finally gets it. We dream of Desmond’s life becoming joyful and happy, even though for now it is still very hard.

Raphael lives with his mother. His stepfather abandoned the family when his pregnant wife became a “burden” who could no longer work and bring in even a few coins. Now the family is literally starving.

Tony’s mother has passed away. His father is alive, but cannot recover from the loss of his wife, so Tony often feels like an orphan. The boy is mostly left to himself; sometimes neighbours keep an eye on him. He eats only when and where it happens to be possible – and that is not often.

A recent fire completely destroyed their home, leaving Don, his brother, and their father with no roof over their heads. They are forced to sleep outside, on bare ground. The mother, who could have been Don’s support, abandoned the family and left right after the tragedy.

Sheriff Omondi, 11 years old
Sheriff survived a terrible fire that destroyed the tiny shack where he lived with his parents and brother. Right after the tragedy his mother abandoned the family. Now his father and two small boys survive only thanks to the kindness of others. They sleep on bare ground, and the father’s income is so small that no one knows when he will be able to rebuild even a simple shelter.

Steven Otieno, 14 years old
On his way home from school Steven fell while playing and badly injured his stomach. He had surgery in September and was discharged from the hospital, but behind this small joy lies a harsh reality: his family lives in extreme poverty. The boy, weakened after illness, quite literally has nothing to eat, so recovery is slow and difficult.
At our center he will finally receive proper nutrition, care, and support – and will be able to fully heal.

Joseph’s family recently lost the only thing that gives a little safety and hope in the slums – their home. For now his mother and three children are staying with their grandmother. She still has no idea how to rebuild the little they once had.

Tamia has already faced what should never happen to children, yet happens far too often. Her father left the family, abandoning his wife and two daughters in poverty. They have nothing to eat, and her mother cannot pay for Tamia’s schooling. At our center she will have food, a safe place to stay, opportunities to learn, new friends – and, most importantly, caring adults by her side.

Vincent has never known his father. His mother’s love and care warmed his childhood, but she became seriously ill. An aunt took over caring for Vincent and his sister, yet family ties were not enough – she treated the children badly. They were brought back home, but their mother is still recovering and cannot work, so she simply cannot feed both children.

Wayne’s father has died. His mother did everything she could to provide for the children, but then tragedy struck again: a car accident left her with a spinal fracture. She can no longer work as before, and now the whole family is going hungry.

Life in the slums is harsh on children, and Angel-Catherine is no exception. Her mother is seriously ill with tuberculosis and can barely work. From time to time she earns a little, just enough for the family to eat a few times a week – not every day. Sometimes kind people help. At our center the girl will finally receive regular, nutritious meals.