Children Needing Sponsors at

Twiga Children's Centre is a non-residential drop-in centre where children can meet, chat and - most importantly - play.

Twiga usually has about 40 children on the register. Some are orphans, others are half-orphans, some are abandoned and some have special needs.

A few are living without any adult supervision other than regular visits from Twiga volunteers. When asked, these children state that they want Twiga to build dormitories for them.

So, the directors have put pen to paper and drawn up a plan for two dormitories, each capable of sleeping 8 to 10 children in bunk beds. They will have separate washing and toilet facilities. The existing hut, which has three rooms, will be converted to a kitchen, dining/study/leisure area and sleeping quarters for adult an supervisor. The plans have been submited and the estimated cost is in the region of £8,000.

All the children, regardless of their circumstances, need help. Twiga ensures that they have somewhere to live, clothes and when needed, medication. Twiga ensures that they attend school and the children are encouraged to follow their religion. Twiga would like to do more, but without funding, it is very difficult.

If you would like to sponsor a child, please contact Twiga Children's Centre or Kenyan Community Support Initiative.

Normally, when a child receives sponsorship, he or she will write regularly to their sponsor. However, the people in the Kisii region usually speak Ekegusii, and speak little or no English. Primary education is given in Ekegusii, the language used at home and invariably, in church.

When you sponsor a child, you will receive regular reports on his or her well-being from our Kisii office. If the child you sponsor cannot write in English, you may receive a nice picture drawn by him or her.

KCSI hopes that in the near future, the Internet will be installed at Twiga, when the children will be able to communicate via email.

There are many more children in Kisii town who have not entered any school or children's home. They are effectively street kids - orphans. Their time is spent surviving, scavenging, and in many cases, looking after their younger siblings. Twiga wants to help these children as well, but first, their trust has to be earned as many have been exploited or abused.