Provide a loving home for orphans in Kenya

Not all superheroes wear a cape.

Vivian is a Kenyan teenager, and for many reasons, she is a superhero.

Vivian’s family, who lived in Migori, South Nyanza was hit by never-ending sadness. Both her father and mother died, leaving behind five children. Then in 2016 the family’s eldest daughter, Vivian’s older sister Millicent, died, leaving behind her two young children Ryan and Maryanne.

Vivian also had three younger sisters. Two of them went to live with relatives, leaving Vivian to care for the youngest one called Brenda, as well as her niece and nephew, Ryan and Maryanne.

With no other family member willing to take on the responsibility of the daily upkeep for the children Vivian dropped out of school when she was in her early teens to support herself and the three children. She managed to eck out enough money to provide food, shelter and clothing by taking on casual jobs like going to peoples’ houses and doing all house chores.

Imagine what it must be like to be so young and having such a responsibility. How much courage and strength it must take to step in as the head of household and main breadwinner.

Finally a Good Samaritan in the local community, who saw how impossible it was for Vivian, contacted the local authorities, which contacted the Lewa Children's Home. Now all four of them - Vivian, now aged 17, Brenda, her sister aged 6, and her late sister’s two children: Ryan aged 5 and Maryanne aged 3, are still together, living happily at Lewa. Brenda, Ryan and Maryanne will be enrolled in primary school next year.

Vivan is now studying at St Bakita in Eldoret, doing a tailoring course, and is happy. After classes she still works to earn money to send to her two sisters, who are living with relatives. 

Next year, if enough money is raised, her two siblings, who are living with relatives, may be enrolled in Lewa’s sponsorship programme, which will pay for their schooling, ensuring they will have a chance at an education and a better future.  

This is how special Lewa is: providing a safe heaven to children who had lost everything, including their childhood. And to give superheroes like Vivian the chance to be a normal teenager again. 

As Christmas is approaching, we'd like to ask you to consider making another donation to the Lewa Children's Home, so that we can continue giving shelter, love and happiness to children like Vivian, who gave up school to help her siblings. Every donation helps keep these children from harm, and give them have a future, after a tragic start in life. Thank you.