Every day at Makindu Children’s Program and the Children’s Center, we are reminded of how much your support truly matters. To our community of donors—whom we think of as our quiet angels—thank you. Because of your steady generosity, your donations are hard at work right now keeping our children healthy, well-fed, and safe. Your gifts translate directly into daily meals, medical checkups, and a reliable place for these kids to grow and learn. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and your trust in our mission. Read on for program details on how your recent support has improved a child's life this season and for that we are truly grateful.
HEALTH - A Summary of Triumphant Care
There is no greater victory than seeing a child reclaim their health and dignity. A staggering 274 children were able to access vital clinical care, 313 children were safe-guarded through deworming, and 46 children living with HIV received loving, dedicated health care services. Hygiene remains a cornerstone of the health program, with 381 households receiving personalized hygiene and sanitation counseling and 359 young girls receiving sanitary towels, keeping them confident and empowered. Furthermore, 238 families can sleep safely through the night, fully protected beneath donated insecticide-treated mosquito nets. The true heartbeat of this success lies in the miraculous individual milestones: little V received a life-altering corrective heel surgery at Cure International, and little J, who has bravely fought spinal bifida, achieved the breathtaking milestone of walking to school on her own! Her remarkable progress is a testament to the profound power of this mission and the support of our donors.
FOOD AND NUTRITION - A Summary of Nourishment and Relief
Food is hope, stability, and love made visible. In a beautiful display of community care, MCC remains a sanctuary of steady nourishment, ensuring that 585 children sat down to daily, warm meals at the Center. This steady presence has wiped out severe acute malnutrition, triumphantly leaving the number of severely malnourished children at an absolute zero. To fortify their growing bodies, 495 children were uplifted with vital vitamins and 21 received specialized Unimix nutrition. This care extended past the center’s doors directly into the hearts of homes, providing crucial relief food to 495 households. By sustainably managing these feeding programs, MCC has successfully fueled the minds, bodies, and spirits of an entire generation.
EDUCATION - A Summary of Dreams Unleashed
Education is the ultimate bridge out of poverty, and this year, MCC has thrown the doors of opportunity wide open. Out of 553 enrolled children, an astonishing 552 are actively attending school, showing a near-perfect retention rate that proves their eagerness to learn. In an extraordinary milestone of growth, this year marked the moment MCC's pioneer Grade 10 students proudly joined senior school, paving the way for those behind them.
To ensure no child felt left out or burdened by lack, every single primary school child, alongside high schoolers, vocational students, and special needs students, was gifted a beautiful, fresh pair of school uniforms. By covering school fees for high school, vocational, and special needs students, and hosting performance monitoring sessions alongside their guardians, MCC has not just financed education—they have wrapped these children in a community of belief, skyrocketing their academic performance and confidence.
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT - A Summary of Healing and Advocacy
The emotional and psychological safety of a child is sacred. This year, MCC has acted as a fierce protector and a gentle healer for the vulnerable. When 11 children faced the heartbreak of abuse, MCC did not hesitate—they immediately stepped in, rescued them, and placed them safely into the arms of loving secondary caregivers while working to heal the family unit.
True healing was woven through 515 deeply personal home visits and an incredible PSS Day attended by 410 children. In these safe spaces, children were taught the invaluable art of building self-esteem, coping with anxiety, understanding their emotions, and unlocking positive resilience. Teens were brought together for a dedicated counseling session to navigate the unique storms of adolescence, and 13 children were gifted a legal identity and a future by being assisted in obtaining their birth certificates. MCC has proven that these children are never alone; they are seen, validated, and fiercely protected.
GUARDIAN SUPPORT – A Summary of Empowerment and Self-Reliance
To permanently transform the life of a child, you must lift up the family, and MCC’s success in economic empowerment is nothing short of inspiring. 314 guardians were counseled on capacity development and received specialized education on goat husbandry. Today, 389 guardians are actively thriving in Income Generating Activities, blazing trails of self-reliance through rope making, bee keeping, and goat keeping.
The success deepened as Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) and social workers underwent rigorous training from the Kenya Institute of Special Education. This knowledge is now flowing directly into guardian meetings, ensuring that children with special needs are identified, diagnosed, and managed with the utmost dignity, expertise, and love. Families are moving from survival to self-sufficiency.
SAFETY AND SHELTER - A Summary of Warmth and Light
Every child deserves a home that feels like a haven. MCC has brought literal and metaphorical light into the darkest spaces. A beautiful milestone was achieved as 403 households received solar lanterns, distributed thoughtfully based on the number of children in each home. No longer will the setting sun dictate a child's future; these lanterns have become instrumental symbols of hope, allowing for night revision and the proud completion of homework.
Furthermore, 238 households were wrapped in safety and comfort through essential bedding and mosquito nets. The quarter concluded with an outpouring of community love, as beautiful, donated second-hand clothing was distributed to every single guardian across all sites. Families are now sleeping warmer, studying brighter, and living safer than ever before.
Finally, following the devastating impact of recent heavy rainfall on the homes and sanitation facilities of vulnerable families, a comprehensive reconstruction project was launched. We are pleased to report that all affected households have been successfully transitioned into newly constructed, stable, 3-room concrete houses. This intervention has restored safety, dignity, and security to these families, eliminating the risk of collapsing structures and providing them with permanent, resilient shelter. Some of their stories are below:
One of the guardians is a sickly widow and mother of two children. Her husband tragically passed away two years ago. Her house and pit latrine were severely damaged by heavy rains, rendering them entirely uninhabitable. The family was displaced and relying on the hospitality of well-wishers, but have since moved into their own completed 3-room concrete house, and enjoy a stable and secure environment vital for her health and family’s well-being.
Another guardian is a sickly father of two. Due to chronic health struggles, he finds it difficult to secure consistent casual labor to support his family. His previous house and latrine were built on weak foundations and thus destroyed by the heavy rains. Left with nowhere to sleep, he and his boys were being housed by a neighbor. They have now moved out of their neighbor's home and into their newly constructed 3-room concrete house, ensuring a safe, permanent foundation that can withstand future severe weather.
We rehoused a dedicated guardian who is supporting 3 children in the program, while living with her additional 5 great-grandchildren and 3 grandchildren (all left in her care after their parents passed away due to AIDS). The heavy rains caused the walls of their previous home to collapse. The remaining structure was extremely shaky and dangerous, forcing the large family to flee and seek cramped accommodation with relatives. Her pit latrine was also destroyed. The multi-generational family has finally been reunited under one safe roof, now residing in a spacious, durable 3-room concrete house.
We are proud to report that 100% of the affected families have been successfully housed in permanent, weather-resistant concrete structures, effectively ending their displacement and restoring community safety.
LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY - The Winnie Barron Children's Fund
As we celebrate the incredible strides we are making on the ground this year, we also invite you to think about the long-term future of the children we serve. The Winnie Barron Children's Fund has been established as a quasi-endowment to ensure that the vital, life-saving work of the Makindu Children's Program continues for generations to come. By including a legacy gift to the fund in your estate planning or will, or adding MCP as a beneficiary to your IRA, DAF, 401k, bank account or life insurance, you provide a permanent bedrock of support that will shield these children from future uncertainty. Those who make this meaningful commitment are welcomed into the Winnie Barron Legacy Circle—a dedicated group of visionary supporters whose foresight and enduring generosity guarantee that Winnie's legacy of love, protection, and opportunity remains unbroken.
For more information please visit https://makindu.org/fundraiser/legacy-giving or contact legacygift@makindu.org.
SAFARIS & MOORE - Final Call for Fall 2026
Consider a fall safari and experience the magic of East Africa all while changing a child's life. There are just 6 spots remaining for the Fall 2026 Safaris & Moore expedition—an incredible, curated fundraising journey benefiting the Makindu Children's Program. This unforgettable itinerary perfectly balances untamed excitement and coastal relaxation, beginning with a warm welcoming celebration with the kids at the Makindu Children's Center, followed by an exhilarating safari in the world-famous Maasai Mara Conservancy to spot the "Big Five". Afterward, you'll wind down on the pristine, turquoise beaches of the Indian Ocean, exploring island life and scenery. In lieu of traditional travel planning fees, a tax-deductible $500 donation goes directly to Makindu Children’s Program to secure your spot. Don't let this limited opportunity pass you by—visit https://www.safarisandmoore.com today to claim one of the final seats!
PROPER WALK & SAFARI – An Adventure for a Cause
The countdown is officially on for the 18th Proper Walk & Safari, kicking off this July! This signature "Adventure for a Cause" brings together a dedicated team of travelers who cover 100% of their own expenses so that every single dollar raised goes directly to providing nutrition, education, and crisis intervention for the vulnerable kids at the Makindu Children's Centre. This year’s journey features an incredible itinerary, including a hike up Mt. Mielu, a 4-day camel trek across the Laikipia Plateau, and a special game drive at Tsavo West National Park where the team will be accompanied by the Makindu children themselves. Crucially, the travelers will also spend a hands-on Service Project Day at the Centre repairing benches and planting seedlings alongside the community. Please join us in cheering on our 2026 trekkers, and consider making a donation to support their miles and transform a child's future! https://makindu.org/fundraiser/proper-walk-and-safari.
YOUR SUPPORT
We could do any of this without your support. Make a donation here: Mahjong for Makindu | Makindu Children's Program (Powered by Donorbox)
