PROJECTS | Kenya (WEAEP) | Opportunities for Children in Western Kenya

WEAEP established Opportunities for Children in Western Kenya in 2006.  This project offers a variety of developmental and protection services to vulnerable children, including street children, orphans, children with disabilities and child heads of households, with the aim of rehabilitating and reintegrating them back into society.  Over 1,500 children directly benefit from support services offered by WEAEP’s Drop-in Centre in Kakamega and Child Support Centres in the more remote areas of Mumias, Makunga and Navakholo.  Here their basic needs are met through provision of nutritious food, basic healthcare, washing facilities, clean clothing, formal/non-formal education support, counselling, recreational activities, and temporary shelter. 

Basic literacy and numeracy classes and after-school tuition at each of the centres suit the daily routine and diverse standards and abilities of these children, many of whom have to work or care for other family members during the day.  Life skills classes enable the children to develop a core set of skills, helping them to make informed decisions about their own lives and preventing them from further abuse and exploitation.  Children who are 14+ are offered vocational training through apprentices and in-house skills development, such as tailoring, welding and motor mechanics.  These marketable skills give them an opportunity to access secure employment and ultimately become self-reliant. 

The project also aims to improve the financial security of street children’s families, especially young single mothers, through marketable vocational training, savings mobilisation and revolving funds, enabling them to meet their children’s most basic needs.  There are currently 12 women’s groups who have access to WEAEP’s revolving fund.  This enables them to make weekly savings and access funds if and when required, helping to promote self-reliance among single mothers.  Many of them have now set up their own businesses, which provide a regular and predictable source of income.

The project also provides child protection training to local community members, local government officials and school officials, and child participation training to children, helping them to become active agents of change within their communities.