Saving the world’s most vulnerable children
Kili Kid's Center is a safe space for the youngest residents of Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum. We give them food, safety, and care.
about the center
What is Kili Kid's Center
This is our fourth project in the Kibera slums. It is a space for children living through extremely hard circumstances. Here they receive hot, nutritious meals, can rest during the day or stay overnight for as long as they need. There are toys and board games waiting for them.
Kili Center is a small island of childhood in the middle of the slums.
Kili Center is a small island of childhood in the middle of the slums.
Who we support
For the poorest children on the planet, those with the heaviest stories. For orphans and children of broken families. For those whose parents or relatives cannot take care of them. For children who are suffering.
How we help
By Kibera standards, Kili Kid's Center is pure luxury. There is a bedroom with real beds and soft mattresses. When a child wants to rest, we make up a bed for them – with fresh, clean, crisp sheets. After sleep they can wash and dry themselves with a real towel. That is a luxury here too. Simple things that feel incredible in the slums.
There is a small yard where they can play outside, there are toys and board games. And most importantly, there is a kitchen and a dining room. We cook three times a day. That is why children come to us first of all – for food. We feed them.
There is a small yard where they can play outside, there are toys and board games. And most importantly, there is a kitchen and a dining room. We cook three times a day. That is why children come to us first of all – for food. We feed them.
For breakfast we serve porridge made from red maize. For lunch there is rice, beans, vegetables, eggs and fish. The children have even tried beef with us. By slum standards, it is a dream menu.
What we are building next
We want to create a proper play and activity room so children can grow and learn while they play. We want to fully equip our dining area – right now we do not even have tables.
We will also have a first-aid corner, so we can treat small injuries and look after the children’s health. A big part of childhood is when an adult gently blows on your scraped knee while the disinfectant stings. Children in the slums are often denied even that.
We will also have a first-aid corner, so we can treat small injuries and look after the children’s health. A big part of childhood is when an adult gently blows on your scraped knee while the disinfectant stings. Children in the slums are often denied even that.
We will keep doing everything we can, because children in the slums are just regular kids who have nothing but their childhood. We want that childhood to be brighter and happier.
team
Center manager
Lilian Vuoto
Lilian has a huge heart and a rare gift for surrounding children with care. She makes no distinction between “her own” and “someone else’s” kids. She has four biological and four adopted children. Her husband, Alfred Okumu, manages our Tabor school.
Lilian also runs Lily Education school, which our foundation supports on a regular basis. She seems to have been born to rescue children. We share the same mission.
Lilian also runs Lily Education school, which our foundation supports on a regular basis. She seems to have been born to rescue children. We share the same mission.
Social worker
Millicent Avino Yuma
Helps us plan meaningful activities and free time for the children.
Cook
Everlyn Otieno
Everlyn helps us do the most important thing in the slums: feed the children.
Security guard
Joseph Ndege
Children of Kili Kid's Center
10 years old
Violet Akinyi
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.
9 years old
Kennedy Opiyo
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.
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.
6 years old
Jayden Day,
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.
10 years old
Emmanuel Otieno
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.
10 years old
Erick Omondi
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.
At our center Erick finds what he misses most at home: safety and peace.
5 years old
Desmond Baraka
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.
11 years old
Raphael Omondi
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.
9 years old
Tony Gibril
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.
5 years old
Don Odhiambo
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 лет
Шерифф Омонди
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.
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
Стивен Отьено
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.
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.
7 years old
Joseph Otieno
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.
10 years old
Tamia Natasha
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.
9 years old
Vincent Agwenyi
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.
12 years old
Wayne Omondi
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.
7 years old
Angel-Catherine
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.
Давинна Нтенья
Совсем малышка, 2,5 года (День рождения 3 сентября 2020г).
Совсем малышка, 2,5 года (День рождения 3 сентября 2020г).
Мама одна воспитывает двоих детей. Старшему – пять лет. В школу он не ходит – у матери катастрофически не хватает денег на оплату учебы. Женщина разрывается между детьми и выполнением мелких поручений, чтобы заработать несколько шиллингов. Найти пусть тяжелую и низкооплачиваемую, но стабильную работу она не может – не с кем оставить детей.
«Я знала про школу Tabor и молилась, чтобы она расширилась или открылась похожая бесплатная школа, и хоть один из моих детей получил возможность получать еду и учиться там. И Бог услышал мои молитвы! Получается, что первой в школу идет младшая дочка, потому что новая Kili School будет начальной. Пусть так. Для меня это настоящее чудо. Не могу передать словами, как же я рада за свою Давинну! Спасибо всем, кто делает для наших детей такие удивительные вещи!»
«Я знала про школу Tabor и молилась, чтобы она расширилась или открылась похожая бесплатная школа, и хоть один из моих детей получил возможность получать еду и учиться там. И Бог услышал мои молитвы! Получается, что первой в школу идет младшая дочка, потому что новая Kili School будет начальной. Пусть так. Для меня это настоящее чудо. Не могу передать словами, как же я рада за свою Давинну! Спасибо всем, кто делает для наших детей такие удивительные вещи!»
Фанис Оньянго.
Родилась 2 января 2019 года.
Родилась 2 января 2019 года.
У Фанис есть оба родителя, но у родителей нет работы. Предпринимаемые попытки найти хоть какой-то источник заработка тщетны.
Всего в семье четверо детей, и положение критическое.
Всего в семье четверо детей, и положение критическое.
Джоб Элвин Омуханго.
Родился 21 февраля 2019 года.
Родился 21 февраля 2019 года.
Джоб – сирота, они с братом живут с бабушкой,
У бабушки нет работы, пожилую женщину с внуками поддерживают соседи.
Бабушка очень благодарила, узнав, что Джоба берут в бесплатную школу: «Для нас это благословение Божие».
У бабушки нет работы, пожилую женщину с внуками поддерживают соседи.
Бабушка очень благодарила, узнав, что Джоба берут в бесплатную школу: «Для нас это благословение Божие».
Мэри Акиньи.
День рождения 11 марта 2020.
День рождения 11 марта 2020.
Мэри – пятый ребенок у мамы-одиночки. Отец семью оставил. Четверо старших детей раньше учились в государственной школе, но из-за невозможности оплаты вынуждены были прервать учебу. Мама очень просила нас взять всех пятерых детей, но они уже большие для primary.
Мама надеется, что устроив в школу хотя бы младшего ребенка, сможет найти стабильную работу – раньше выполняла небольшие разовые поручения за крохотные деньги – и улучшить финансовое положение семьи.
Мама надеется, что устроив в школу хотя бы младшего ребенка, сможет найти стабильную работу – раньше выполняла небольшие разовые поручения за крохотные деньги – и улучшить финансовое положение семьи.
contacts
Kili Kid's Center
Адрес:
Gatwekera, near Kibera town centre across the railway line, Sarang'ombe ward, Kibra constituency, Nairobi, Kenya
P.O. Box 3885 00100
Адрес:
Gatwekera, near Kibera town centre across the railway line, Sarang'ombe ward, Kibra constituency, Nairobi, Kenya
P.O. Box 3885 00100
certificate
KILI C.B.O.
No. 03612
No. 03612