Welcome to Makindu!
Makindu Children’s Program (MCP) is a charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization headquartered in Eugene, Oregon that supports a day resource facility called Makindu Children’s Centre (MCC) in a rural region of eastern Kenya. The Centre provides nutritional, medical and emotional support, access to basic education, and opportunities for vocational training for over 1,200 destitute AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children. The children live in guardian homes in the community, and can come to the Centre daily for food, recreation, bathing, and laundering facilities, emotional support, and crisis intervention.
MCC is experiencing some tentative times with the recent world market crisis and decreased donations, compounded by the worst drought to strike the Horn of Africa in over 60 years… read more
Help Makindu Earn a Spot on Global Giving – Support the Bore Hole Campaign!
Yes, we have now met the initial Global Giving challenge, which has secured us a permanent spot on their website to continue to raise all the remaining funds needed for this borehole for the children’s center in Kenya,
The total goal is $20,000, so we have a ways to go to attain the final reward of clean, potable and safe water for all the children and their families.
Thank you so much for all the support thus far, and helping us to get to the finish line!
asante sana!!
Photo: Adam Bacher
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/makindu-borehole/
Makindu Children’s Program (MCP) is a charitable 501(c)3 non-profit organization that supports a day resource facility called Makindu Children’s Centre (MCC) in a rural region of eastern Kenya. MCC provides nutritional, medical and emotional support, access to basic education, and opportunities for vocational training for over 1,200 destitute AIDS orphans and other vulnerable children. The children live in guardian homes in the community, and visit the Centre for essential services.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
Access to clean, affordable water is a basic human right. Due to recent water privatization in Kenya, water prices have skyrocketed. As a result, Makindu Children’s Centre now faces exorbitant water bills, diverting crucial funds from MCC’s core programs and reducing services for more than 1,200 Kenyan orphans who rely on MCC for nutritional, educational, medical, and psycho-social support.
How will this project solve this problem?
Constructing a solar-powered borehole will empower MCC to act as a public utility and community resource, saving MCC thousands of dollars each year. In fact, the borehole will provide MCC with a steady income source, which will augment MCC’s programs and services.
Potential Long Term Impact
This project will return water rights back into the hands of the people. The borehole project will ensure a reliable, sustainable water supply for 1,200 MCC children and their guardians, generate income for MCC, and bring affordable water to over 3,000 local villagers and small businesses. Using solar panels ensures that the project is sustainable and can be maintained over the long-term.
Project Message
“The cost of installing a borehole and solar panels is a relatively small amount compared to the massive difference it will make to the lives of so many.”
- Winnie Barron, Co-Founder, Makindu Children’s Program
Golden Gate Bridge Proper Walk
Have you ever thought about going on a Proper Walk and hiking through the land of the lion and elephant? Now you can by joining a (slightly) tamer version of the adventure for a cause called the Golden Gate Proper Walk. The Proper Walk begins in San Francisco at the southern end of the Golden Gate Bridge 2pm, Friday June 21st and ends Sunday the 23rd.
The Golden Gate Proper Walk Goals are: To raise $20,000 for the aids orphans of Makindu, to educate our community about the effects of the AIDS epidemic in Sub Saharan Africa, and to creating lifetime memories and friendships while doing it. Each walker is committed to raising $1,000 and paying their personal costs for food and reservations (estimated at $125 per Walker)
To walk call Dennis Wininger 415-271-0917 or Lou Enge 541-729-3707
To Donate, go to www.makindu.org and click on the Donate Now button at the bottom of the Main Page (please indicate Golden Gate Proper Walk and a Walker to assign the donation to). If you are interested in being a Golden Gate Walker Participant or to find out more information about the walk, please contact Lou or Dennis. Lou may be reached at Makindu@peak.org. Dennis may be reached at dennis@properwalk.org
The Walkers will cross the iconic bridge, then climb into the Marin Headlands. They will enjoy the hospitality of an evening at the famous Marin Headlands Hostel before following the Coast Trail north for the next two days. There will be two walk options, “Tembea Kubwa” (Swahili for big walk) or “Tembea Kidogo” (Swahili for little walk). Walkers will hike and camp their way through some of the most beautiful, undeveloped land in the Bay Area – Hiking up to peaks with breathtaking views of San Francisco, walking amidst giant redwoods, while battling the elements of a Northern California coastal summer.
Hike Option 1 – “Tembea Kubwa” (Swahili for Big Walk)
Friday – Golden Gate Bridge to Hostel (7 miles)
Saturday – Hike from Hostel along the coast trail to Stinson Beach 11 miles then 3 to Pantoll Camp Site (14 miles)
Sunday – Pantoll to Samuel Taylor (18 miles)
Hike Option 2 – “Tembea Kidogo” (Swahili for Small Walk)
Friday – Golden Gate Bridge 2 miles – Ride to hostel hike to lagoon and/or Marine Mammal Center (2.5 miles)
Saturday – Hike from Hostel to beach and coastal trail and back 1 mile – ride to Muir Woods walk to Pantoll 2 miles
Sunday – From Pantoll Camp Site hike to Bolinas Ridge Trail 3 miles – can continue or do a loop on the Cataract Trail 3 miles.
Proper Walk 2012
All the Proper Walkers have returned to the States safe and sound, although perhaps a bit more tired and with a few new aches and pains. The Proper Walk means to walk many miles over many days with an uncertain outcome. This Walk definitely met that definition. Each Walk is unique in the land they see, the wildlife they encounter, the pastoralist tribes they engage, and the group itself that makes up the Proper Walk caravan, but one thing remains the same – it is a life changing adventure for a cause.
At the Kamba welcoming ceremony at the Makindu Children’s Centre the Walkers saw first-hand how the sacrifices they made to take part in the Walk, and what the donations made to MCP on their behalf, accomplish – it forever changes what the adventure part of the Walk means.
The Walkers have collectively raised over $110,000 so far. We commend these intrepid Walkers for their accomplishments on the Walk and for their great fund raising efforts to help the vulnerable children of Makindu.
To donate, click on the DONATE NOW button below and be sure to indicate the Proper Walk and the specific Walker you are donating to. More information on the Proper Walk may be found at www.properwalk.com
*** MCP Has a FAN Page on Facebook!***
Please join us by clicking on the graphic below.
