Improve the wellbeing of 10,000 Orphans in Kenya

Summary of the Project

The OVC Project was established as a critical extension of WE REACH’s existing WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) program. Recognizing that extreme poverty in rural areas often prevents children from accessing basic education, this initiative provides holistic support to 20 of the most vulnerable pupils (4 per school) across five primary schools. By providing essential learning materials and empowering caregivers through vocational and agricultural training, the project aims to improve school retention rates and the long-term economic stability of the participating households.

Introduction

The transition from providing clean water to supporting educational needs was born out of a stark reality: many pupils in the Ebuchira and Emukangu clusters were dropping out due to a lack of basic supplies. This report outlines the successful distribution of school uniforms, the current status of caregiver engagement, and the strategic roadmap for the next quarter.

 Completed Activities

• Stakeholder Consultation & Beneficiary Identification: Conducted successful planning meetings with Head Teachers and local Chiefs to verify the vulnerability of 20 pupils (10 boys and 10 girls).
• Needs Assessment: Finalized the list of essential requirements for each child, including uniform measurements and specific learning material needs.
• Uniform Distribution Drive: Completed the procurement and distribution of high-quality school uniforms (including sweaters, shirts/dresses, and socks) for all identified OVCs across the five schools.
• Official Launch: Hosted a handover ceremony attended by the local administration to signify the start of the support cycle.

Ongoing Tasks & Progress

• Procurement of Learning Kits: The purchase of school bags, shoes, and stationery (books and pens) is currently 80% complete.

• Caregiver Curriculum Development: The training manual for the "Small Business Skills" module and "Kitchen Garden" techniques is currently being finalized by the field team.

• Pupil Performance Monitoring: Teachers have begun tracking the attendance and class participation of the 20 supported children to measure the initial impact of the new uniforms on their confidence.

Challenges & Solutions

Logistics: Poor road conditions due to recent rains made reaching Esokone difficult.Used local motorbike transport (Boda Bodas) to ensure the timely delivery of uniforms.

Sizing Discrepancies: A few pupils had grown between the assessment and distribution dates.WE REACH partnered with a local tailor in the village to make immediate adjustments on-site.

High Expectations: Other vulnerable families requested to join the program, exceeding current capacity.The team worked with the Chief to maintain transparency about the selection criteria and documented other cases for future funding phases.