In a 50 mile radius of Embu, located in the Central Highlands of Kenya, there are approximately 2200 orphaned children.
These children have suffered the loss of their parents as a result of the HIV/AIDS epidemic which is ravaging the continent of Africa. Some of these children are presently cared for by older siblings and sometimes ailing grandparents. They lack basic shelter and care, food and clean water as well as access to available education.
The Acacia Children's Project located in Embu, Kenya is a project of Phoenix Community Works Foundation, www.pcwf.ca
and is working cooperatively with The Canadian Alliance of Black Educators Inc. The name of the President of this organization is Mr. Kirk Mark. PCWF is a registered, non profit organization with its own Board of Directors. The organization is deeply committed to the project and especially to the children. They have committed many volunteer hours to ensure that the project succeeds in providing assistance to the children.
Our Partners in Kenya
PCWF works closley with our partners in Kenya, The Acacia Children's Project, Kenya. They are a non-government, community based organization working with and caring for the children at the grassroots.
The project, established in 2004 brings together peoples from two continents, many cultures and diverse ages. The gifts, talents and resources that each brings to the project are abundant and varied.
The Mission
As a beginning, we have taken on the responsibility and care of 49 children and we hope to increase this number as the project grows. We encourage creative resolutions and planning that will lead the project and our partners in Kenya to self-sufficiency.
The project can be broken down to three phases:
Phase I - to provide the children with their basic needs; food, shelter, clothing, school tuition, uniforms and education.
Phase II - to develop land which was donated by two local municipalities into housing, schools and farmland for growing and animals. To date, we have purchased about 40 goars, some chickens and 2 cows. In addition to the housing, plans call for community development through social centres and emergency programmes.
Phase III - involves development of micro-lending and small enterprises to sustain the project and provide the older children with training and employment.
A Learning Experience
The project provides a rich learning environment for people interested in expanding their experience of the world beyond their cultural and national boundaries. It enables all participants to make meaningful contributions toward safer and healthier communities.
Volunteer Your Talents
If you would like to help us organize this year's Acacia Christmas Party, please contact Natalie Capone, at natalie@pcwf.ca or call (416) 964-3380 ext. 205. Give a Little and you will get a lot back. Your skills, talents and time will go a long way to ensuring that the children of The Acacia Children's Project have a happy holiday too! And a promising future.
Our Financial Goals
Our goal for 2009-2010 is to raise $30,000 Cdn in order to meet the needs of the children. Last year we funds raised allowed us to meet the immediate and most basic needs for all the children.
In the coming months we will be having several fund raising events before year's end.. Please check the homepage of this web-site regularly for updates.
