Improve the wellbeing of 10,000 Orphans in Kenya

Project Context 
Kakamega County, located in Western Kenya, is one of the most populous counties in Kenya, with an estimated population of over 1.8 million (based on 2019 census projections). The county is predominantly rural, with agriculture as the primary economic activity, including sugarcane farming and subsistence agriculture. Despite its rich natural resources, including the Kakamega Forest, poverty levels remain high, with over 40% of residents living below the poverty line. Education access is a significant challenge, particularly for orphans, due to financial constraints, limited infrastructure in rural areas, and high dependency ratios. Public primary schools in Kakamega County often lack sufficient resources, and many orphans face barriers such as inability to pay levies or purchase uniforms, leading to high dropout rates.
This project targeted 15 orphans aged 6 to 14 years, enrolled in public primary schools across Kakamega County. Identified through community assessments and collaboration with school administrators and social workers, the initiative aimed to break the cycle of poverty by ensuring these children could access education, fostering their personal development and future opportunities. This report details the project’s proceedings, lessons learned, recommendations, and conclusions.
Project Proceedings
The project was implemented from January to June 2025 in Kakamega County, focusing on public primary schools. Key activities included:
Needs Assessment and Beneficiary Selection
Partnered with headteachers of public primary schools and local chiefs in Kakamega County to identify 15 orphans facing financial barriers to education.
Selection criteria included orphan status (single or double orphans), financial need, and regular attendance prior to financial challenges.
Engaged social workers to verify beneficiaries’ circumstances, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Resource Mobilization
Raised KES 20000 through WE REACH’s donor network and a community fundraising event held in Kakamega town.
Secured in-kind donations from local businesses, including uniforms and stationery, to supplement funding.
Support Provision
Paid school levies for all 15 beneficiaries for one academic year, covering costs such as examination fees and activity levies in public primary schools.
Provided each child with two sets of school uniforms, shoes, school bags, and essential learning materials (e.g., exercise books, pens, and textbooks).
Arranged transportation support for three students attending schools over 5 km from their homes, addressing Kakamega’s rural terrain challenges.
Monitoring and Mentorship
Assigned volunteer mentors, including teachers and community volunteers, to provide academic and emotional support to each beneficiary.
Conducted monthly visits to schools to monitor attendance, academic progress, and well-being, with reports showing attendance improving from 65% to 96% on average.
Organized two workshops in Kakamega town for beneficiaries, focusing on life skills such as time management and self-esteem.
Community Engagement
Held sensitization meetings with guardians and community members in target sub-counties (e.g., Lurambi, Shinyalu) to promote support for orphans’ education.
Collaborated with local education officials to align the project with county education goals, reducing stigma around orphans in schools.
By June 2025, all 15 orphans were actively attending their respective public primary schools, with improved academic engagement and positive feedback from teachers on their participation and confidence.
Lessons Learned
Community Support is Vital in Rural Settings
Involving local leaders and guardians in Kakamega County fostered community ownership, ensuring continued support for the children’s education.
Holistic Needs Addressed
Combining financial aid with mentorship and community sensitization significantly improved the children’s academic performance and emotional well-being.
Logistical Challenges in Rural Areas
Delays in delivering uniforms to remote schools due to poor road networks in Kakamega County underscored the need for localized suppliers.
Health and Nutrition Gaps
Some beneficiaries faced health challenges, such as malnutrition, which affected their learning, highlighting the need for integrated health support.
Funding Limitations
The project’s reach was limited to 15 beneficiaries due to budget constraints, indicating a need for broader funding to address the high number of orphans in Kakamega County.
Recommendations
Diversify Funding Sources
Seek grants from international NGOs and corporate partnerships to increase funding, enabling support for more orphans in Kakamega County’s public primary schools.
Strengthen County Partnerships
Collaborate with Kakamega County’s Department of Education and local NGOs to streamline beneficiary identification and leverage existing resources.
Integrate Health and Nutrition Support
Partner with health organizations to provide medical check-ups and nutritional support for beneficiaries to address health-related barriers to learning.
Improve Logistics for Rural Areas
Establish partnerships with local suppliers in Kakamega County to reduce delays in delivering uniforms and materials, accounting for rural infrastructure challenges.
Long-Term Impact Assessment
Develop a tracking system to monitor beneficiaries’ progress through primary and secondary education to evaluate the sustained impact of the support.
Conclusion
The WE REACH initiative to support 15 orphans in public primary schools in Kakamega County has demonstrated the critical role of education in transforming the lives of vulnerable children. By addressing financial, material, and emotional barriers, the project enabled all 15 beneficiaries to remain in school, with significant improvements in attendance (from 65% to 96%) and academic engagement. The context of Kakamega County, with its high poverty levels and rural challenges, underscores the importance of such interventions in ensuring equitable education access.
The lessons learned emphasize the value of community involvement, holistic support, and proactive planning to overcome logistical and financial challenges. WE REACH is committed to expanding this initiative to reach more orphans in Kakamega County, ensuring they have the opportunity to achieve their potential through education. We extend our gratitude to our donors, partners, volunteers, and the Kakamega community for their support in making this project a success.