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.
At present, the Center is home to 16 children.
Each child receives nutritious meals, clean clothing, hygiene essentials, and a cozy place to sleep. We provide the kind of everyday care and stability that many of these children have been deprived of since birth.
All of our children attend school. We understand how difficult it can be for children with a “street” background to adapt to learning, so the Center’s teachers help them with their homework every day, filling in gaps in their education.
All children undergo regular medical check-ups. The Center takes responsibility for the health of those in our care, from treating colds to arranging complex surgeries. We become a source of hope for families who do not have the financial means to pay for life-saving treatment for their child.
We teach children to trust adults and society again, instill moral values, and help them break free from harmful habits of the past.
Over the years, dozens of children have been rescued from criminal environments and physical danger.
The Center has also successfully implemented medical support programs, including targeted fundraising and the organization of surgeries for seriously ill children.
Each child receives nutritious meals, clean clothing, hygiene essentials, and a cozy place to sleep. We provide the kind of everyday care and stability that many of these children have been deprived of since birth.
All of our children attend school. We understand how difficult it can be for children with a “street” background to adapt to learning, so the Center’s teachers help them with their homework every day, filling in gaps in their education.
All children undergo regular medical check-ups. The Center takes responsibility for the health of those in our care, from treating colds to arranging complex surgeries. We become a source of hope for families who do not have the financial means to pay for life-saving treatment for their child.
We teach children to trust adults and society again, instill moral values, and help them break free from harmful habits of the past.
Over the years, dozens of children have been rescued from criminal environments and physical danger.
The Center has also successfully implemented medical support programs, including targeted fundraising and the organization of surgeries for seriously ill children.
Our greatest achievement is the smiles of our children
and their belief that tomorrow will be a kinder day.
and their belief that tomorrow will be a kinder day.
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
Contacts
Kili Kid's Center
Address
Gatwekera, near Kibera town centre across the railway line, Sarang'ombe ward, Kibra constituency, Nairobi, Kenya
P.O. Box 3885 00100
+254 706 065 994
Lilian Wuoto
Address
Gatwekera, near Kibera town centre across the railway line, Sarang'ombe ward, Kibra constituency, Nairobi, Kenya
P.O. Box 3885 00100
+254 706 065 994
Lilian Wuoto
