npyt projects



There are 3 npyt projects; Liyavo - Birunda - Kitale Cares
Liyavo Village Community Project (LVCP)


This message was updated on 14 May 2008: Liyavo still desperately needs funding though we have managed to secure some minimal running costs. If no donor or partner comes forward the home will have to close by late June 2008. PLEASE HELP

the LVCP choir practice at the project LVCP is npyt's most established project; established in 1992 it is situated on 5.2 acre (2 hectares) plot donated to NPYT by the Kenyan Government.

Liyavo and the surrounding villages are all composed of a conglomerate of the landless, small holders, some extensive farms and some absent landlords (the ex President owns several thousand acres there). The landless and small holders are mostly from the Bukusu tribes who were driven from their traditional homes in Kimilili and Bungoma during the 1990 clashes. Many have settled and bought or been allocated small plots of normally not more than a quarter acre. Others remain squatting or have been absorbed into IDP camps such as the projects neighbour; Huruma Settlement.

Apart from the larger land owners and those lucky enough to be in permanent employment, the population lives below the poverty line relying almost exclusively on casual farm work during the harvest and planting seasons. Many children do not attend school as they have to work to support themselves or contribute to the family income.

Morbidity is a serious problem for these families as the price of medicines is a burden, also the removal of patient and care taker can drastically reduce income to the home and often leave a young child in the place of parent caring for even younger children.

The project targets three groups primarily though they may be subdivided further.

football is very popular with the children 1. Street and other children in need from Kitale town: Kitale town has a large population of street and for the street children. These children fall into three basic classes; those who live on the streets, those who frequent the streets during the day and those who live at home but often make excursions to the Kitale streets. All of these groups are to an extent dependant on begging, scavenging, doing odd jobs and petty crime. All of these groups are also vulnerable.

2. Children in need and 'for the street' from the project environs: The project is at Liyavo village which is a settlement of mainly IDPs who fled their homelands during the ethnic violence of the early 1990s. Most families have small plot of ¼ or ½ an acre. Some have been issued title deeds while the majority remain technically squatters. The socio-economic situation within the settlement is poor with most families relying on seasonal casual labor for subsistence. Alcoholism is also a common problem.

The ethnic clashes, HIV/AIDS and general squalor have all taken their toll and left many children in the 'care' of distant relatives and/or ageing grandparents. General poverty and helplessness means many of these children would not receive an education at all and malnutrition is common place.

3. The communities in which the project is based: By assisting the community with such things as access to potable water, affordable health care, and improved infrastructure such as roads directly and indirectly improves the quality of life for the community in general, who in turn are more able to care for their own children.

The projects offer full transitional residential care for boys and girls from a variety of backgrounds and situations. From 1992 until 1998, LVCP's population was limited to about 40 children, the majority of whom were from squatter families that had come to Kitale to escape the violence and ethnic cleansing. Construction of new dormitories and the refurbishment of some of the existing dorms has made it possible to comfortably house 100 children at any one time while 4 places are reserved for emergency cases. LVCP now provides services to and/or residential care to 120 children. The majority of children now at the project originate from the streets, although a large minority are 'for the streets' or from extremely 'Difficult Circumstances' within the squatter communities.

Education is the first step towards a viable future. Given the chance, many former street children do well at school The constant residential population (of about 100) attend local primary schools or are undergoing remedial classes at the centres. There are also a few nursery school age children. The centre has been able to locate families and relations for nearly all of the children in it's care, which has made home visits possible for the majority of kids. Home visits are seen as vital in maintaining or re-establishing links between the children and their communities, which in turn makes re/unification, transition and eventual departure from the project much easier and is often preferable.

New intakes of children are possible as the older kids graduate to Vocational Training or secondary school; or ideally families are reunited and the child is able to return home.

Make a donation or Sponsor a Child

Go to; Liyavo - Birunda - Kitale Cares

Birunda Village Community Project (BVCP) and Birunda Rescue Centre (BRC)


5.2 acres were donated to NPYT for the rescue centre BVCP first opened in 2001 on land donated by the Trans Nzioa County Council. Based on the best practices already established at LVCP, Birunda wanted to focus it's attention more on rehabilitation and short-term transitional childcare. the Rescue Centre is able to ensure that fewer children arrive on the streets, those that do arrive are offered protection and care before they become hard core or addicted to glue. BVCP's current and future activities are as follows.

Current Activities include
  1. Rescue Centre: During NPYTs collective 15 years experience in working with children in need it became clear that long term residential care was not an answer in itself to the ever increasing number of children on and arriving on the towns streets. In 2006 BRC was formed filling a vital gap in services to children in need by offering fast lane access to protection for newly arrived street children, giving the judiciary and police an alternative to entering a child into the cumbersome juvenile justice system, and, giving the Children's Dept somewhere children could be temporarily housed while establishing and assessing the child's situation. In 2007 1,222 children accessed services at BRC.


  2. Repatriation and Home Placements: The Kenya Children's Act 2006 states that every child has the right to a family. At BRC we respect that and our first concern is to trace the child's family and, if possible; through counseling and occasionally material support, enable the child to stay with the family. If the family cannot be traced or there is no legal or willing guardian only then do we consider trying to place the child in a long stay residential home such as Liyavo


  3. Remedial Coaching: For all the children at the centre remedial classes are held to ensure the child's educational levels are enhanced while the child's actual; situation is established and an agreed solution found


  4. Potable Water: Since BVCP completed it's bore hole well in late 2006, clean potable has been available for the project and community. The community pay 2 shillings (about 2 pence UK) per 20 litres, this income maintains the well and also ensures we do not compete with other providers.


  5. Provision of Affordable Health care: A building that was built before BVCP was donated the land has been partially converted into a Community Clinic. The clinic provides basic health services to the community, our children and staff, and destitute or street children who are treated free of charge. The clinic is self sustained through a minimal charge to the general public who use the facility.


    6. IDP children being admitted to BRC on 5th March 2008
  6. Sports Facilities: BVCP does not underestimate the importance of sports not only in the rehabilitation process for street children but also in welding bonds between the local community and projects. We currently have a full size football pitch, netball and basketball practice area and a minimal toddlers playground. BVCP also often provides transport for town and community based teams to attend sporting functions. Often the hard core street children form themselves into informal teams for whom we also provide lunch, washing facilities and group counseling on areas such as HIV/AIDS prevention, sexually transmitted diseases, general hygiene, etc.


  7. Community Development: BVCP is situated in a village that comprises mostly of IDPs who were forced from their traditional home in the early 1990s. Successive governments and authorities have ignored this area leaving fragile infrastructure, under funded schools and no provision of health care before BVCP arrived. BVCP is happy to help community based initiatives that fall within BVCP's ethos and constitution. Developed communities do better care for their own children.


  8. Somewhere to Meet: BVCP facilities are often used as a meeting place by the community for 'barasas' and other areas of concern.


  9. HIV/AIDS Awareness: Through the clinic a campaign of awareness is increasing the communities ability to cope with the AIDS pandemic. Women, mothers, youth and street children are the major focus of the campaign. Family planning is freely discussed and condoms are available at no cost.

Future Plans:

This great acacai is the trade mark of BRC
  1. Purpose Built Clinic: Birunda centre is in desperate need of a health centre that can provide laboratory and pharmacy services at an affordable rate. BVCP's experience is that health care provision can be self supporting once the infrastructure is provided for.


  2. Vocational Training Centre: Workshops are needed to provide older street children and destitute community members with viable skills for their futures. It is envisaged that the centre will provide skills training combined with remedial classes for the illiterate and, arts, crafts, sports and drama for those who wish turning skills training into a person building activity.

All of these activities have been planned in consultation with project children, street children, project staff and the wider community. All will require funding and all contribute to a positive and independent future for individuals and the Birunda community.

Make a donation or Sponsor a Child

Go to; Liyavo - Birunda - Kitale Cares

Kitale Cares Project (KCP)
- Awaiting Funding

even working children will be able to attend school The chief aims of the project are to:

  1. Enable marginalized children to attend primary school.
  2. Ensure many more children are able to enjoy their basic rights.
  3. Bring together business and civil society groups to develop integrated action and policy on street and marginalized children in Trans Nzoia District.

To facilitate these the main activities of the project will be to:


In 2003 the Kenyan government introduced free primary education at all state schools. It was envisaged that all children would attend school and benefit from a basic education. Certainly the number of school going children has increased though the marginalized have not benefited:

more girls can attend school Slum and street children put their priorities in the following order:

1. Adequate food
2. A home (or somewhere secure)
3. Education
4. Clothing
5. Health

These children cannot attend school because they are hungry, prone to disease and have whatever possessions they accumulate regularly stolen or damaged by rain, dirt, etc.

This project will provide children with access to washing facilities and storage for clothing and books. Provide 3 meals a day, school uniforms, pens, pencils, exercise books and act as entry point to npyt residential projects for those who really have nowhere else to go. Provide a friendly ear, a smiling face and a second family for the children who will also receive counseling and awareness programmes.

npyt already provides a window of opportunity to children who have been arrested and/or find themselves detained by the authorities without access to legal support and often without relatives or guardians even being informed. This needs to be formalised with the addition of a Liaison Officer to:



The success of this project will also depend on providing activities during the weekends and school holidays, which will require the purchase of a second hand lorry fitted with folding benches.

LOCAL INVOLVEMENT:

Concern for the growing number of street children, and the obvious presence of many other children who do not attend school, has been a regular agenda point at the District Children's Advisory Council (of which npyt is an active member). npyt, in consultation with the Kitale businesses, has also launched the idea of having a local Consortium for Street Children. Local businesses have been approached and have shown interest in making small monthly donations that combined will eventually cover running costs. The idea that Kitale takes care of it's 'own' children is being promoted and may become a model for other towns and cities in the region.

SUSTAIN ABILITY:

The project needs donor funds to establish itself and for local businesses to see that it has reduced the number of children loitering in the town, that the services offered to the children are of good quality, that transparency and good practice are adhered to, and, perhaps most importantly, that the children's anti social behavior and substance abuse is curbed.

Once established the local business community will be asked to foot much of the bill for running costs which will amount to a small monthly donation each. A child sponsorship programme should also provide for some of the costs.

PHYSICAL/IMPACT ON
fewer street children
The project will have a great impact on the Kitale society, as they will experience a reduction in street children that they are directly responsible for. It will also identify and stream those children who are willing to school but need such a project, those who need fully residential support and, those who are just stubbornly refusing to enter mainstream society. This identification will enable:
The greater impact of the project will be virtually no street children in Kitale.

DISADVANTAGED GROUPS/WOMEN:

It is npyt's experience that women and children benefit most from children's projects as in most Kenyan cultures women are often left shouldering the burden of a young family alone.

All of the beneficiaries of this project will be from marginalized communities from where the majority of street children originate. Staff will comprise of women and men while the project beneficiaries will be both girls and boys.

INTEGRATION:

All project children will attend local government primary schools and live in normal Kenyan homes. It will be a process of re-integration of children to their homes and families where they can be seen as an asset rather than a burden.

Solvent and other substance abuse does have side effects; including withdrawal. For these children the integration process may take longer and will need careful monitoring by staff and the project nurse.

children's rights catered for COST EFFECTIVENESS

This project will be located in Kitale town making delivery and access to quality goods very cost effective. Running costs will be minimal as only day staffs are required yet the project will be able to assist a large number of children.

npyt will use staff from its residential centres to disseminate best practice and advise where needed.

Networking with the Child Legal Aid Centre will provide free legal advice and representation for children and free legal advice for the organisation.

Administration costs will be shared between 3 projects.

reduction in solvent abuse MONITORING:

npyt staff will manage the funds and coordinate the Project. npyt will report regularly to donors while monitoring the activities.

OTHER COMMENTS:

Project Staff levels will be as follows:

House Mother2 (1 part time)
House Father2 (1 part time)
Sports Coordinator2 (both part time)
Social Worker1
Liaison Officer1
Nurse1
Driver2 (1 part time)

somewhere for me

npyt Administrative Staff are:

Director1/3 salary
Coordinator1/3 salary
Secretary/Office1/3 salary
Accountant1/3 salary


BUDGET:

The total budget for the first year is detailed below. Subsequent years will need only the reoccurring costs covered.

Item cost UK£€ US$
Design Costs1,2001,7402,260
Project Equipment6,0008,70011,310
Construction/Renovation1,5002,1802,830
Vehicle8,00011,60015,000
Project Staff Wages8,00011,60015,000
Other Running Costs20,00029,00037,700
Rent3,0004,3505,660
Administration Wages2,9604,2905,580
Other Administration Costs4,2006,0007,900
TOTAL (year one)54,86079,460103,240



Make a donation or Sponsor a Child

Go to; Liyavo - Birunda - Kitale Cares