This is an updated story since the September 2024 Newsletter was written. We received word in July that the economic situation in Kaswanga (as in most of Kenya) has dramatically changed due to floods that ruined the season’s harvest, which led to unsustainable costs for food. This was true even for modest households but exceptionally so for the most vulnerable. It has been 10 years since Kaswanga experienced child-headed homes, mostly due to the impact of Living Waters and the services provided to the orphaned children.
To the left is Winnie, a former girl of the feeding center, and her brother. She has another brother attending the feeding center, and they live in a child-headed home now. Due to extreme conditions, the parents abandoned the children and left them to fend for themselves. Winnie can no longer attend secondary school and cares for her siblings the best she can. Look closer, and you will see the extreme malnutrition of both of these siblings.
What can Living Waters do?
Living Waters commissioned the local child recruitment committee (used to verify children referred to the feeding center) and did an assessment of the most desperate local children who are not currently served by Living Waters. The report took six weeks to compile, and it was determined there were over 300 children in dire need. Of these 300 children, 60 are orphans. Living Waters is doing what it can to assist, as many children are on the verge of not surviving. With limited resources of both finances and staff, Living Waters cannot meet the entire local need, but we can make a difference for some. The orphans do not have any sustainable hope for even the next meal. It seems that the best way to help is to provide a weekly allotment of maize to the orphan families.
At current prices, if Living Waters provided each of the 60 orphaned children with 40 lbs of maize per child per month (total additional monthly expense: $1300 USD), that would dramatically reduce their hunger. It is reported these children may only eat something every 2-3 days. We need your help. If you can, please help with any amount. 100% will go directly to these children. Please mark your gift, “End the heartbreak.”
Thank you so much.
3 ways to DONATE:
Online Donation
Send a check to: Living Waters Intl PO Box 502 Tonto Basin AZ 85553
Or Call Mary Jo: 928-978-4663