FARAJA PROGRESS REPORT 2020/2021

FARAJA PROGRESS REPORT 2020/2021

The year 2020 was a difficult year with the emergence of the Covid 19 pandemic. The Kenya government restricted movements and gatherings of its people in an effort to protect them from the virus, as a result Faraja was not able to have children meet regularly and thus was not able to utilize the funds fully within that year. In 2021 the situation is better and the government has ensured that those at risk receive the vaccine.  However Kenya is on its third wave of the pandemic and both infection and mortality rate of are still high.  For example the infection rate according to the ministry of health is at 8% which is high as compared to the WHO guidelines that indicate the curve begins to flatten at 5% there is need therefore to continue ensuring that every individual observes the protocol of washing hands with soap often, sanitizing and wearing of mask.

Faraja recognizes that education is a right for every child. Education also enables other rights to be enjoyed.  Faraja therefore seeks to encourage children to be enrolled and keep school. This year we networked and as a result were able to identify two villages near Igoji Market where children are in need of support to enable them go to school, get age appropriate information on issues that affect them and food among other needs. Igoji market is a few kilometers from Chogoria town, it's in Meru County. Most of its occupants are small scale farmers and some of them depend on illicit brew to complement their livelihood. A large population of the youths in these villages are school drop outs, some as a result of poverty while others drop out so as to work in a nearby quarry.  In 2020 we had a meeting with the parents most of whom were women.  When we asked them where the men were they said men usually go to the quarry and also drink a lot so had no time for meetings.

Initial meeting at Kiriti

Since last year movements were restricted by Covid 19 pandemic, this year we started by  visiting Miruriri,  where we met Sofia, a class six girl, who lives with her grandparents. The day we visited her home for the first time, her grandfather had died the previous night. Sofia used to sleep on the floor, she had no mattress but just torn beddings. We promised to come back, after a few days we went back and provided mattress, beddings and maize meal.

Sofia and her grandmother with Peter Baya presenting to them bedding and food stuffs

At Kiriti we met Mutuma, a class 1 boy, who also lives with his grandmother, but could not attend school due to lack of school uniform school uniform. His grandmother told us that she had no money to buy him the uniform.  She said that she feels bad about it but there is no way she can get the money. We offered to make full school uniform for him so that he may go back to school. We also gave them some food since they were in need of it.

Mutuma with her grandmother

At the faraja centre activities included distribution of food, paying of school fees, provision of uniforms, making and distribution of masks.

On behalf of Faraja board I wish to thank Anna, Robert and Diane for understanding and continued support.  In addition we appreciate and thank Kujali organization for donations that have enabled us meet our objectives over the years.