Upcoming shipment: Hope in Kenya
Lindy, of Kenya, was 14 when her parents died of HIV/Aids. Suddenly, Lindy was thrust from childhood into being the family breadwinner, as she struggled to provide food, clothing and be a 'mother' to her younger brothers and sisters. Today, Lindy is using the pain of a difficult childhood as power to lift up women and girls in Africa from poverty into being champions of their own community, educating others in development issues.
- Girls forced by the parents to drop out of primary school to work as housemaids, to contribute to the family income.
- Primary-aged girl children sold into early marriages, to secure a dowry for the family.
- Mothers encouraging their primary-aged daughters to sell their bodies to bring in a little extra money.
- Girls as young as 11 and 12 falling pregnant and contracting HIV.
The situation is dire, but the organisation started by this one woman has grown into a formidable force for change. Today, they run vocational training for women and girls, handicrafts opportunities, village banking, daycare centres for vulnerable children, and many more programs. Crossroads is pleased to be supporting the work of this valuable organisation by sending a container of goods that will be used in their centres, and for distribution amongst some of the poorest of Kenya’s rural women and children.
