The Lunchbowl Network was set up in response to the plight of the orphans in the Kibera slum, Nairobi.
The Kibera slum is one of the most densely populated places in the world. It is estimated that 1.2 million people live within the 1.5 sq miles of the slum. A staggering three quarters of the population are children and 70% are considered to be orphaned or vulnerable. The slum is an illegal settlement where crime and disease is rampant. Lenny Henry described the Kibera as ‘being in hell.’ Due to the horrendous living conditions tragically it is estimated that 50% of children in the Kibera do not survive to their fifth Birthday. Since 2006 The Lunchbowl Network has helped to take care of 450 orphaned and vulnerable children. Their nutritional needs have been hugely impacted by daily provision of hot food with a special meal cooked for them every Saturday. In addition The Lunchbowl Network has helped to fund emergency medical needs and play equipment. Within the Kibera there is a network of seventy dedicated carers who help to look after the orphaned and vulnerable children on a daily basis in their extended households. The Lunchbowl Network also provides a rescue programme for teenage girls who at very high risk of abuse. These young girls are individually sponsored and educated at a boarding school in the country where they can flourish and are filled with hope for their future. The Lunchbowl Network operates completely on a voluntary basis and consequently is able to give an outstanding 90% of all money raised directly to benefit the orphaned and vulnerable children. In the UK significant funding comes through school children engaging their hearts and minds in the issues facing the orphans and then responding by giving. The Lunchbowl Network has a team of School Ambassadors who present assemblies and give personal feedback to supporting schools including hand made thank you pictures from the orphans and personalised dvd messages. | Every 33p
feeds one child ‘IF YOU CAN’T ONE HUNDRED
THEN JUST FEED ONE’’ Mother Teresa It is so easy to feed one child. We only need 33p to provide one hot dinner. |
