It’s heartbreaking! Over 12 million children in Africa have lost one or both of their parents due to AIDS, violence, extreme poverty, or other diseases that have turned their world upside down.  No parents.  No electronics or personal stuff.  And sometimes little food, chance to go to school, or place to call home.

KC4K is all about mobilizing kids in North America to have a global vision and extend care and hope to the vulnerable who aren’t all that different from us.  Below is a snapshot of projects we’re funding—with the help of our supporters—to bring smiles, hope, and change lives of kids across Africa.

Providing Bikes to Kids in Zambia

Although they work in many developing countries, World Bicycle Relief has a goal to reach  500,000 adults, orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia where HIV/AIDS is rampant with bicycles.  Bikes provide access to healthcare, education and economic development. KC4K funds this program so AIDS affected children who live far from school can get there more easily.

Feeding Hungry Kids in Zambia

In Zambian, over 600 orphans, widows, and AIDS patients have enjoyed a weekly meal and food supplements thanks to the support of KC4K. This feeding program, run by Bright Hope International, is especially important because Zambia has the highest proportion of AIDS orphans in the world. One-fifth of all children in Zambia are orphans.

Orphan Care Center in South Africa

It’s hard to image, but there are over 2 million orphans in the country of South Africa. That’s equivalent to 30,000 school busses filled with kids!  That’s why we’re so excited about the Kerus Orphan Care Center we’ve help build, where initially 50 and then up to 100 orphans will come every day for a good meal, homework help, health care and more. Plus they’ll learn skills like gardening, computers and crafts.  Our partner is Kerus Global Education.

Rescuing Kids in Ghana

One heartbreaking effects of extreme poverty in Africa is the use of children as slave labor.  Touch A Life Foundation rescues children from this plight. KC4K partners with Touch A Life to care for rescued children in Ghana—providing daily needs of food, shelter, education, and health care.

Clean Water in Zambia

None of us can imagine drinking dirty water, but that’s commonplace in many parts of Africa. So we’re working with World Vision to drill boreholes and teach hygiene in communities where they desperately need clean water.  Right now, kids and adults living there walk miles to find water. When they do find water, it’s often contaminated and makes them sick.

Dorm for Orphans in Ngulini

Nearly 30 orphan girls (age 3-17) in this Kenyan community were sleeping in a crowded classroom because they had no home! So, in partnership with Bright Hope International, we built a dorm so these girls and others like them could live with caring adults, eat good meals, and experience “family.” Our gift also purchased 10 acres of land to help  grow their own food.

Hope for Life Center in Kenya

The Hope for Life Center was the dream of Josephine, a former Kenyan government official who had a passion to care for the overwhelming number of orphans in Nakuru. So far, KC4K has given over $60,000 to support this project, which is helping to transform a community. Our gift helped build the Hope for Life Center where over 120 orphans receive meals, homework help, and hope every day. We’ve also provided school uniforms, shoes, meals, and textbooks for these children.