Widows and Orphans
In the eastern Rift Valley the AIDs epidemic has orphaned a generation of children. The burden of care has fallen to their cucus…their grandmothers. These women have made unimaginable sacrifices to provide for their children’s children.
Since 2004, the Widows & Orphans project has included a monthly food drop. In recent years it has expanded beyond this initial effort to include sustainable food sources and tuition assistance for the children.
Monthly Food Drop
Each month a food bag with essentials-flour, maize, beans, carrots, potatoes is presented to each grandmother to supplement their food supply.
Community Garden
In 2013, Flow of Hope began renting land for a community garden for the widows and orphans to increase their food supply.
In 2015, we were able to double the size of the rental plot and John introduced sustainable farming. The harvest in 2015 was the best in years.
Our goal for 2017 is to purchase property for a permanent community garden for the widows and orphans. Expected cost is $10,000.
Fruit Trees
In 2015, the Kijabe widows were introduced to Citrus and Avocado trees. Each family was responsible for the planting and care of these trees.
The women were rewarded with Mango trees in 2016 after 100% survival of the trees planted the previous year.
