More than a year ago, the World Health Organization formally declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic. Since that time, Naivasha Children’s Shelter has continued our work of rescuing children from the streets, providing them with rehabilitation services and reuniting them with family. However, our work during the pandemic has proved challenging.

During the pandemic, we have been one of the few organizations who has continued with street rescues. Children living on the streets have been particularly susceptible to the disease because of poor sanitation. In addition, the number of children living on the street has seen a huge boom due to economic insecurity and the closure of schools for almost a year.

We were able to continue rescues because generous funding from our supporters to conduct COVID tests of every child rescued from the streets.

Unfortunately, many of the children we have rescued have tested positive for the virus. Therefore, we had to convert our newly-renovated counseling house to an isolation centre, and our staff have been isolating with both positive and exposed cases. Between staff and space limitations, this has severely limited our ability to rescue as many children as we would like.

We’re grateful for your partnership as we plan an emergency rescue of 25 children in May. We are in the process of exploring ways to expand our capacity for rescues during this “new normal” in order to reach the thousands of children living on the streets and desperate for a chance at a new life.

With rainy season beginning in Kenya, the boys at Shelter have been staying busy with indoor activities, like working puzzles, in addition to counseling, remedial education and life skills.

David* is the fifth born of nine children. According to his mother, he went to the streets in 2016 when he was only 10, after being influenced negatively by his friends. His mother frequently went to town to bring him home, but he continued to run away. Eventually, in 2018, he went to live with his grandparents, but after a short time, he ran away again and did not return home.

In August 2020, David was rescued and brought to Shelter, where he expressed a desire to change his life and return home with his mother. His family was overjoyed and eager to welcome him home. After completing the transition program at Shelter, engaging in weekly therapy, and spending time with his family over short visits, David was reintegrated this month. He will be enrolled in school when it resumes in May, and he and his family are so excited to be together again.

*At Naivasha Children's Shelter, we respect children's right to privacy. So while their stories are true, client names and images may have been changed to protect their privacy. Thank you for understanding.

As we continue to navigate this pandemic and keep all staff and residents safe, we need your help more than ever.

If you'd like to support our ongoing efforts to restore families, you can submit a one-time or recurring monthly gift.

Thank you!