Currently, the lack of a proper chimney for the wood-fires stoves in the Future Stars kitchen is causing some major problems.

• The kitchen staff are experiencing difficulty breathing and chest pains as they are forced to work in a smoke-filled environment for several hours every day.
• Smoke is finding its way into the classroom above the kitchen causing learners to cough and their eyes to stream, making it extremely difficult for them to learn.

These issues are dangerous ones as well as being inconvenient.  We absolutely cannot allow this situation to continue any longer than necessary.

All it will take to change the situation for the better is the installation of a proper hooded chimney that will pull the smoke from the kitchen and direct it away from the classroom above.

The work could be done very quickly once funds are available.  This is an opportunity to donate and see the impact in a very short space of time.  Work would be done by local Kiberan workers, providing employment in the community and ensuring your money helps other families struggling to survive in the slum.

Can you help us to make a change?

Note: any funds raised over and above what are needed will be used for our feeding programme including buying firewood to fuel the stoves.

At the Bornstar Children’s Centre, the water the children rely upon for cooking, drinking, and for washing their hands is CONTAMINATED.  This water, purchased from a local standpipe, is making the children unwell and impacting on their ability to stay in school as well as risking their overall growth and development.

Chaffinch has received an amazing grant from the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust that is allowing us to:

• Construct a strong steel frame to hold a high-capacity water tank;
• Purchase that water tank;
• Install plumbing for water-saving tippy tap handwashing facilities;
• Provide treatment for the water, ensuring it is safe for use.

However, to complete this life-changing project, we still need a little help from you.  We are short of £120 total, which will allow us to transport the purchased water tank across the fragile corrugated iron roofs of the local community as this is the only access route available.  The funds will pay the labour for this heavy work as well as ensuring we can repair any damage that is done to the neighbours’ roofs along the way.

In a community where the next meal is a priority, imagine the horror if a foot comes through your roof!  We need to be certain we can make-good any damage before we even begin this process.

Can you help us to get clean water to the children of the Bornstar Children’s Centre?

Note: any funds raised over and above what are needed will be used for the ongoing water needs of the Bornstar Children’s Centre.

Meet 19-year-old Phanice.

Phanice has experienced a life that most of us will struggle to fully comprehend:

• Phanice came from an abusive home that ensured she needed a precautionary pregnancy test when Children’s Services finally placed her in the rescue centre at Future Stars, aged 14.
• Phanice was enrolled in high school but, having never learned that her body was her own to control, fell victim to a boy whilst still in school and subsequently became pregnant.
• She fled Future Stars, fearful of the consequences of her actions.  We didn’t know of her whereabouts for a long time and were extremely worried about her.
• Phanice lived a tough life: sleeping on floors and washing clothes to earn enough to feed herself and, later, her baby daughter.  Things became even harder following the passing of her grandfather who had offered her some degree of support.
• She decided to return ‘home’ to Future Stars, hoping for some help.

Phanice is extremely regretful of the actions that took her away from Future Stars and her education.  She has experienced the harshness of life and knows that she wants something better for her daughter.  Sadly, whilst she has been able to access food at the centre, she has ‘aged out’ of the rescue centre so has been forced to return to the abusive home of her early childhood, which is very dangerous for both herself and her young daughter.

Chaffinch has created, in conversation with Phanice herself, a 4-stage plan:

• To rent a safe room and furnish it with a bed and a strong padlock for the door.
• To enrol Phanice in college to study hairdressing.  There is a charity school that we are hoping will accept Phanice despite her not completing her high school education and not having all of the official documents usually needed.
• To further furnish her home with items such as a chair, table, and radio.
• To support Phanice to become financially independent by helping her to establish a new business as a hairdresser.

Phanice deserves better: not only for herself but also for her daughter.  Here’s an opportunity to help a young person to make real change.  Phanice works extremely hard to provide for her daughter but just needs that little bit of extra support from you if she is going to ‘make it’.

Can you help Phanice and her daughter?

Note: any funds raised over and above what are needed will be used for post-high school needs of other Future Stars young people.

Residents of Kibera are particularly vulnerable to the impact of climate change, including drought and flooding, as well as effects of human action and political instability. Lack of infrastructure, basic house construction, poor drainage systems and overcrowding can lead to destruction of homes, displacement of families, and contamination of water sources.  Diseases can quickly become epidemics here. Fire is also common either from cooking fires and gas bottles or from informal electrical connections.  With support, we can mobilise relief efforts to provide emergency shelter, food, clean water and medical care to the affected community in a crisis. Supporting these efforts can make a significant difference in helping Kibera residents recover from disasters and crises.

Can you donate today so Chaffinch can be there for Kibera’s children when emergency strikes?