Kenya

World Vision is committed to partnering with the people of Kenya to improve their lives today and to help enact sustainable solutions for the future of their children, families, and communities. World Vision’s child sponsorship program plays a vital role in this partnership, with donors from the United States sponsoring more than 41,300 girls and boys. In addition to sponsorship, World Vision operates other programs that benefit communities in Kenya. Highlights include:

• Sustaining livelihoods of people affected by the Horn of Africa drought and food crisis by providing 600,000 of the most vulnerable people with food and emergency supplies.
• Fighting malaria by distributing bed nets.
• Helping children go to school by removing them from child labor situations.
• Providing life-skills training to those affected by HIV and AIDS.
• Increasing access to improved water supply, sanitation facilities and training on hygiene practices to enhance the status of children's health.
• Improving the growth and development of 37,526 girls and boys under five years of age, as well as 11,037 pregnant women.

World Vision’s early assistance to Kenya includes a 1965 grant to World Gospel Mission; an office was opened in 1974 in response to severe drought and famine. Since then, some of World Vision’s major accomplishments have included:

• Improving healthcare, education, and water systems and offering literacy and vocational training during the 1980s.
• Assisting flood-affected communities by providing medicines, food, seeds, livestock, and shelter during the 1990s.
• Building shelters and classrooms for children in refugee camps and providing medical supplies, blankets, food, and other necessities to people affected by floods in the 21st century.

Geography and people

A land of varied landscapes and wildlife, Kenya lies along the equator in eastern Africa. Coconut, mangrove, and palm trees line its more than 300 miles of coastline along the Indian Ocean. The interior features low plains and highlands and Africa’s second highest peak, Mount Kenya.

The climate ranges from the tropical coast to an arid interior. Kenya’s game parks have lions, giraffes, buffalos, elephants, zebras, and other wild animals. Natural resources include limestone, salt, gypsum, gemstones, zinc, and hydropower.

English and Swahili are the official languages, but dozens of indigenous languages also are spoken throughout the country. More than 40 ethnic groups populate Kenya.

Because most babies are delivered at home, they often do not receive official birth certificates. Instead of birth dates, parents recall that a child was born during a particular season or special event. Kenyans value children, since a large family means more help on the farm and helps to ensure care for parents in their old age.

History

Kenya gained independence from Britain in 1963 after over 40 years as a colony. The resulting government formed by the Kenya African National Union (KANU), however, started a 40-year corrupt rule. During the 1990s, Kenya’s infrastructure began disintegrating, violence increased, and a series of natural disasters occurred.

KANU’s term ended when Mwai Kibaki was elected president in 2002, promising government reform. Kibaki initiated a number of judicial reforms to crack down on corruption and promised to revise the constitution, but Kenyans were disappointed with the lack of progress halfway through her term.

Violent protests broke out over the outcome of the December 2007 presidential election, and, after two months of ethnic brutality, more than 1,000 people had died. With the help of national talks, the Kenyan government finally reached a power-sharing agreement.

Please pray for:

The millions of Kenyans still in need of food assistance.

Stability in northern Kenya so humanitarian efforts can continue safely.