Relatives Support Programme News

9 Dec 2021 | Newsletters
I am delighted to be able to tell you that our Christmas Appeal is going very well, better than last year at this time. This will enable us to set a solid and affordable budget for 2022. Your generosity allows us to fund our Children’s Village, our Reception Home and our rapidly expanding Relatives Support Programme (RSP). This Programme allows very poor, abandoned, or orphaned children to stay with a relative, with Malaika Kids providing a fortnightly food package, a school uniform and health insurance. These children would find it very hard to survive without our help and would probably end up begging in the street. Two years ago we helped 81 children in this way, 89 a year ago and today 97. Here are some of the children we helped this year:
One eight-year-old lives with her grandmother who is now very frail. Her mother died giving birth to her while her father is a drug addict and absent from the household.
The parents of a thirteen-year-old boy are both dead, the mother recently in a car accident. He lives with his grandfather who cares for five other children. The grandfather takes on small plumbing jobs when he can; at present he is unable to find work.
A twelve-year-old girl lost her father to illness five years ago. She now lives with her mother who is unable to walk. Her neighbours, themselves very poor, have been paying her bus fare so that she can attend school. (Here she is with a neighbour).
It costs us just over £30,000 per year to support all 97 children in the Relatives Support Programme, a little under £1 per day for each child.
A NEW INITIATIVE While we recognise that a decent education is key to lifting these children out of a cycle of poverty, we have noticed that the RSP children’s primary school results tend to deteriorate over time. We believe that this is partly because they cannot afford to pay for after-school remedial lessons, unlike many of their peers. And so, starting next month, the beginning of the new school year, we are initiating a five day a week remedial programme for all the children who are in Forms 4 and 7. These are particularly important years as there are national exams at the end. We will monitor these children closely and assess their progress at half-term in April. We are hopeful that the extra £2,000 per annum that this will cost us will make a real difference to the life chances of these kids. We truly value your support.
Double Your Donation Today
With thanks and best wishes
Alan Edwards Malaika Kids UK Chair

Stay in touch

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates. By submitting your details you agree to receive monthly emails from us. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Stay in touch

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates. By submitting your details you agree to receive monthly emails from us. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.

You have Successfully Subscribed!