The Orphan Epidemic

The scale and tragedy of Kenya's battle against diseases including AIDS and HIV is only just beginning to dawn on us. Where we are located in Nakuru there are no less than three similar orphanages- one build by a British couple another by a German man and a large American built orphanage. Most of the children at the Orphanage have lost their parents from diseases but there are those who are the exception. M a beautiful little girl with 4 pigtails is at the orphanage with her brothers F and N after they witnessed their father murder their mother. It is my understanding that their father is in gaol. Despite the trauma these children have experienced the smiles on their faces are unbelieveable- especially with their sparkling white teeth.

Some children are not in fact orphans but choose to leave home of their own volition as things are so bad at home that a life on the streets is preferable. Others are dumped and may end up becoming dump kids which means they fend for themselves at the local rubbish tip. It is sad to confirm what we already know and that is that many of the children in Kenya die of preventable diseases. We visited the local dispensary on our first day where a boy was bitten by a rabid dog on his head and face- rabies is still prevelant in Kenya and most people die without the relevant course of drugs. His mother couldn't afford the 1000ks approx $15 AUD required for the injection. Sad but a reality when people live on less than a few dollars a day. Volunteers at the orphanage who heard about this boys plight will help the family get the shots they need.

Their are countless other examples that we have come across in the short space of time we have been here. There are various other institutions which have been set up for those with disabilities, deafness and other such physical ailments. A lot of good work is being done but you have to ask yourself- this is the situation in Kenya, one of the stable countries in Africa, what is it like in the rest of Africa?