Maisha Marefu supports the Shalom Street Smarters organisation created by Doris Wako.
Meet Doris, a former police officer whose compassion knows no bounds. After spending years patrolling the streets of Busia County, Doris became acutely aware of the plight of street children and their desperate need for help. Unable to turn a blind eye, she took it upon herself to provide food and care for these vulnerable youngsters, going above and beyond her duties as a law enforcement officer.
Doris' journey began with simple acts of kindness – feeding hungry children she encountered during her patrols. As her heart swelled with empathy, she found herself increasingly drawn to these children, their stories, and their struggles. Despite the demands of her job, Doris dedicated her time and resources to ensuring that these children had a warm meal and a safe haven amidst the harsh realities of the streets.
However, Doris' unwavering dedication to the welfare of street children eventually led her to a crossroads. Faced with the ultimatum of choosing between her job and her mission to help these children, Doris followed her heart without hesitation. She resigned from her position as a police officer to devote herself fully to the children she had grown to love as her own.
Today, Doris is a beacon of hope for over 25 children who find refuge in her humble home. Despite her selflessness and boundless love, Doris faces numerous challenges in providing for the children's basic needs. Limited resources make it difficult to ensure that the children have enough to eat, access to education, and a decent place to sleep.
At Maisha Marefu, we stand in awe of Doris' compassion and unwavering commitment to the well-being of these vulnerable children. We are honored to support Doris' project, providing funding, resources, and assistance to ensure that these children receive the care and support they deserve.
SUPPORT IN ACTION
Supporting the creation of a poultry house
The Power of Poultry Farming: Poultry farming offers a viable income-generating opportunity that requires relatively low capital investment and yields high returns. By setting up a poultry house, we empower the street kids home to generate revenues through the sale of eggs and chickens, providing them with a steady income stream to meet their needs and support their programs.
In numbers
200 chicks in the farm to date
Scaling to 500 by June 2024
Revenue generated for eggs and chicken sales: 400 euros
Decent living conditions
Investing in Dignity: we are committed to ensuring that every child has a safe and nurturing environment where they can thrive. For too long, the children have endured cramped and inadequate living conditions, with multiple occupants sharing one bed.
That's why we raised funds to construct new dormitories for the girls and boys under. These new facilities will provide separate rooms for the girls and the boys, ensuring privacy and personal space, along with a new bed and mattress for each of them.
Ensuring no child goes hungry
Addressing Immediate Needs: we understand the importance of ensuring that every child has access to food that's why we have launched a weekly food support program to provide essential nourishment until they achieve self-sustainability.
Many children in street homes face hunger and malnutrition due to limited resources and support. Our weekly food provision aims to address this immediate need, ensuring that no child goes to bed hungry. We prioritise staple foods such as milk, beans, sugar, wheat, and rice.
In numbers
with 200 euros per week the 25 children in Doris’ home are fed at least twice per day.
Support this project.
All donation made on this page will go directly to supporting Doris’ project in caring for the the street kids at Shalom Street Smarters.
