Acacia Children's Project

Natalie Capone's picture
By Natalie Capone, January 12, 2006 - 2:12pm

Two Communities Organize Around Aids Orphans in Embu, Kenya

This is a collaborative project that twins the city of Toronto with the town of Embu in Kenya. The twinning organizations are Acacia Children's Project, a project of Phoenix Community Works Foundation, Toronto and Acacia Children's Project, Embu, Kenya.

This project brings together peoples from two continents, many cultures and diverse ages. The gifts, talents and resources that they bring are abundant and varied and the exchange of these gifts and resources is intended to be mutual. The members of these two centres believe that together we can improve the quality of life of a specific group of HIV/AIDS Orphans in the area around Embu Kenya.

We Are two independant, Non-governmental, Social Development Organization

  • Partnering in Canada and Kenya
  • With charitable status in Canada, Kenya and the United States
  • A Board of Trustees and Advisors are Located in Kenya and Canada

Please visit our main project website: www.acaciaproject.com

In a five mile hilly radius of this town there are currently over 2200 orphan children whose parents have died of AIDs: these children are presently cared for by older siblings and sometimes ailing grandparents. Most have a variety of health problems, including HIV. They lack basic shelter and care, food and clean water as well as access to available education.

Thorough this micro-project we will work with local initiatives for childcare, health care, housing and early education so that older orphans are freed from care responsibilities enough to access education and break family poverty cycles. We will endeavour to improve the quality of life of all family members in terms of basic needs.

In addition the project will provide a learning environment for people interested in expanding their experience of the world beyond their cultural and national boundaries. Both Centres will work to support mutual exchange of learning, experiences and resources, enabling all participants involved to make meaningful contributions toward safer and healthier communities.

Mission

The immediate core mission of this project is to meet the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs of some 45 orphaned children in the Embu District . These children have suffered the loss of their parents as the result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which is ravaging the continent of Africa. As the project develops, plans call for the building of several homes, a school and initiatives such as micro-lending and enterprises to sustain the project and provide the older children with training and employment, i.e. job creation. Phoenix hopes to be able to develop a partnership with another NGO in Nairobi, the Acacia Development Initiatives, some of whose members come from the Embu district. They were very helpful in securing land for us and also in other matters when members of the Toronto support group were in Kenya.

The Name "Acacia"

The name is derived from the characteristics of the Acacia Tree. It is a tree that has very deep roots, a large trunk and its foliage creates a beautiful umbrella where birds come to nest. This tree is a wonderful matrix for life and this is what we want these lovely children to have as part of their birthright. They deserve nothing less. The NGO in Embu is called Acacia and has the status in Kenya as a charitable organization that the people of Kenya can make contributions.

CURRENT PROJECT UPDATE:

On Dec. 7th, 2007 we received an update about our project from our partners in Africa, The Acacia Children's Project - Embu, Kenya - a non-governmental, community based organization. We wanted to share the information with you. As it stands, 4 of our children from the project are ready to enter University as of 2008, 17 are in high school and 26 are attending primary school. Our project contact in Kenya is busy shopping for school supplies, books, uniforms and Christmas presents for the children. Also in the works is a program to supply each child with a chicken and get them involved in the maitenance of the chicken as well as teach them how to gather fresh eggs. This will cut down on food costs. A similar idea is to provide 3 cows to be taken care of by guardians of the children. When these cows calve, the plan is to give a calf to each of the families currently housing and looking after orphaned children. This will provide long-term nourishment for the children.

Our partners also wished to express gratitude for all the work being done in Canada by all who have participated or contributed in some way toward making The Acacia Children's Project a success.

A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!!

How To Help

Donations: contributions to the Acacia Children's Project may be made through the Phoenix Community Works Foundation.

    To donate by cheque or money order, or to volunteer, please contact us.