SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Crossroads’ partners on this shipment serve a community of 250,000 in rural Kenya, where many are living in poverty. The work our partners do in their community is helping children break their family’s cycle of poverty, first by supporting them to stay in school, then offering recreational and educational activities for youth, and then income generating schemes once they have finished school.

Crossroads’ shipment included a wide range of goods that helped equip and expand their projects, such as books to start one community’s first ever library, furniture to fit out a school where children previously didn’t have enough chairs and desks for students, and more. Clothing and other basic necessities proved an invaluable way for them to reach out to more women, teenaged girls and young mothers. Because of the relationships built through this distribution, they now have more than 200 new enrolments in their financial literacy programme! From this, women are then supported to start their own small businesses to support their families.

“The multiplier effect of these goods cannot be underestimated!” – NGO staff

Our partners estimate that around 5,000 people have been directly and indirectly impacted by the goods from this shipment. The school goods in particular are a capital investment that will support children for many years to come, allowing children to stay in school who otherwise were at risk of dropping out. We are very grateful to all who contributed to this shipment, through donations of goods, funding and volunteer efforts. Thank you for caring for those in rural Kenya!

(Above) High quality new shoes for both children and adults were distributed to some of the area’s most vulnerable. Many had never worn shoes before at all, and owning a new pair was a first for them.

(Above) Staff unload goods from the shipment in rural Kenya.

(Above) Sporting goods, school desks and chairs, and books for the community’s first ever library (below) have been a capital investment far beyond their face value, in desperately under-resourced communities.

Reference No. S3284

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

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SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

Our NGO partners in Kenya have a very clear vision of the challenges that the country’s communities face on a daily basis. In their own words, they are seeking to tackle “inadequate social infrastructure and absolute poverty or destitution”. Through their work our partners are seeking to improve the lives of people across Kenya who “lack the means to afford even basic necessities, such as fresh water, nutrition, healthcare, education, clothing and shelter”.

In addressing the multifaceted difficulties that they have identified our partners carry out a number of projects across Kenya, a number of which were supported by the goods they received in this shipment. For example, in their report to us our partners described how many of the donated goods were distributed to local public primary schools, where the majority of vulnerable children are found. Here, they said, “goods like stationery, toys, clothes, books, shoes, bed sheets, duvets, classroom supplies and textbooks, as well as arts and music materials, were distributed to schools supporting over 3,000 children”. Furthermore, goods like clothing and household necessities were distributed to marginalised individuals, providing support to over 650 people in local communities.

“We are grateful that the donations could be distributed to the local communities. They will help us empower marginalised community members and make them useful citizens who can support themselves in the future” – NGO Director

(Above) Students at local primary schools pose with their new classroom stationery.

The variety of goods sent in this shipment allowed our partners to support a range of programmes and address multiple community needs. As discussed above, educational needs were a priority for them, but beyond this, through the donation of first aid kits, mobility aids and basic necessities; they were also able to help meet the medical and social needs present across many communities. Furthermore, the shipment has allowed our partners to expand their premises and improve the working environment for their staff, allowing them to continue their efforts more effectively.

(Above) Clothes are distributed at a school to vulnerable students.

This shipment provided goods which will have a lasting impact on the lives of the beneficiaries they have reached. The schools which the goods have helped to supply will provide a direct and positive impact on local communities for years to come and our partners are very grateful for that. Without your support and generous donations, their work would not be possible – thank you.


PHOTOS OF THE GOODS IN USE

Reference No. : S3048

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

“I was doing Grade 7 when my father was sentenced to life imprisonment,” recounts Bodiao. “Life came to a standstill as...

read more ...

Liberia: Youth empowerment

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? Liberia as a nation is still suffering deep social and economic wounds from a civil war that ended...

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Syria: Aid and empowerment for refugees

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Cameroon: Educating and rebuilding

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SHIPMENT FEEDBACK

In the region of Kenya that received this shipment, 65% of people in live on less than $1/day. Most of the 850,000 inhabitants are peasant farmers, owners of small, informal businesses that bring in very little income, or unemployed. Young people in the slum areas are largely unemployed and in desperate need of training and income-generating projects.

“Job-creation among the youth is needed due to the high population without jobs leading to alcoholism, drug-addiction, and high rate of early pregnancies, HIV/AIDS and desperation among them. Sports or recreation project would assist the youth.” – NGO staff

Crossroads’ partner in Kenya asked us for a container of goods that would help them continue their work, and expand their various programs in the slums of Kisumu and surrounding areas.

Since the shipment was received, hundreds of lives have been touched both directly and indirectly.

Before our NGO partner had to hire office equipment, but after receiving the shipment they now have their own office furniture and office equipment.

 

Impact of the shipment:

  • Computers allowed a training centre to be set up.
  • Hospital beds distributed to a community health centre have meant more people can be admitted and have their own bed, rather than patients sharing two to a bed.
  • Clothes and shoes were distributed to over 300 families, and hygiene items such as toothbrushes were given to school children.

CROSSROADS COMPUTERS OPEN DOORS FOR YOUTH

Charles often feels like he’s fighting a losing battle. He’s a youth worker with Kenyan young people, and each day he sees teens and young men who have fallen into crime, drug dealing and drug abuse because they have nothing to do, and no money to live on.

Charles dreamed of starting a computer centre for training and job creation, to help these youth find a different way to live, but he didn’t have the resources to buy equipment like computers and furniture. When Crossroads’ shipment arrived, Charles finally had the goods needed for the project. He’s now training and employed youth from the community, giving them new opportunities, and showing them they can hope for something more than a hand-to-mouth existence.

A total of 30 youths from the community are full-members of the centre for skills training to prepare them for jobs and an income.

Reference No. : S2919

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

“I was doing Grade 7 when my father was sentenced to life imprisonment,” recounts Bodiao. “Life came to a standstill as...

read more ...

Liberia: Youth empowerment

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? Liberia as a nation is still suffering deep social and economic wounds from a civil war that ended...

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Syria: Aid and empowerment for refugees

Shipment Feedback: The conflict in Syria continues to devastate lives and communities, with thousands of people still displaced and living in flimsy...

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Cameroon: Educating and rebuilding

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? When we first started working with our Cameroonian partners in 2010, they were planning and working on...

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Care for orphans and vulnerable children

Kenya_1Narok district in Kenya is often referred to as the nation’s breadbasket, rich in natural resources and fertile land. For residents, though, many aspects of life in Narok are not easy, and they see few of the benefits of those rich resources. Many live on less than US$1 a day, barely enough to survive. A lack of clean drinking water, food and housing creates challenges that seem impossible to escape. Crossroads’ partner NGO in Narok is helping their community fight to break free from the web of poverty. They offer agricultural services, distribute food, clothing and household goods, help provide access to clean drinking water and are giving education to children in the area.

Potential impact:

  • Computers will help set up an IT-centre in the school, teaching computer skills to children and young adults.
  • Community-building through the distribution of clothing and other essentials.
  • Establish new professions of vocational training

Shipment includes:

  • Clothing, medical supplies and toys
  • Computers, scanners, printers and more

A90School happens under the trees for these students. Their school doesn’t have the space and facilities to cater for the number of children they want to help.Because the area floods easily in the rainy season, it poses further inconveniences and risks such as increased malaria risk. The school is constructing new classrooms to cope with demand, but needs the furniture to fill them!

The shipment from Crossroads will include furniture and more to equip the newly build classrooms of this school.

 

 



Kenya_2

Joseph, aged 5, is an orphan who lives with his grandmother, together with his brother and two sisters. When their thatched house collapsed, they were left homeless. His grandmother, herself a widow, couldn`t afford to take care of Joseph and his siblings. Thankfully they got some support from our partner organisation who helped his  grandmother to start a little corn selling business which now provides for the needs of the family. 

The shipment will include materials to improve the school Joseph attends, which will care for needs of many more children.


 

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Kenya Snapshot

Capital: Nairobi
Population: 45.55 million. About half of the population is under 18.

Population below international poverty line of US$1.25 per day: 44%

There are 1.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS ,  1 million children orphaned because of AIDS, and 2.6 million orphans in total.
More than a quarter of children are involved in child labour, mostly in agriculture, but also in the mining industry.

A61

Health care and community building

Kenya_4While the Kenyan economy is improving, 44% of the population still live below the poverty line.  Nearly 2 million are living with HIV/Aids, and  1 million children are living as orphans because of the disease. Crossroads is shipping to a partner NGO who is bringing hope into this darkness and has already helped thousands of HIV/Aids patients in Kenya.

 

They have asked us to send medical goods and relief supplies to help them care for communities that can’t cope with the burden of so many who are sick and poor.

Potential impact:

  • One hospital, three health clinics and nine pharmacies will be provided with the necessary equipment they need to help people in need.
  • Hundreds of vulnerable people will be provided with clothing and other essentials

Shipment includes:

  • Wheelchairs, hospital beds, medical supplies and more
  • 80 boxes of clothing and 10 boxes of shoes

A85Jane lives in a very dry area where people need to walk 5 kilometres in search of water. Quite often Jane could spend most of her days looking just for water and had less time to look after her children. With the help of Crossroads’ partner NGO, a borehole has been drilled in Jane’s village, which provides her and the whole community with clean water.

Because she has more time now, Jane is able to get milk and vegetables for her family, who are now healthier and happier.

Our shipment will help families like Jane’s access resources they need to be productive and self-sufficient.


A26When Doris became pregnant she felt very weak, and knew something wasn’t right. She decided to go to the health clinic of our partner NGO, who tested her for HIV. Doris discovered she was HIV-positive, and being pregnant, it meant her child was now at risk too. Under the care of the clinic, Doris was put on ARV treatment and given food supplements and medicines. Because of this basic care her health condition improved and soon she gave birth to her first child. She then had an agonising wait. Was her baby infected or not? At 18 months, the baby was tested and Doris was relieved to discover that he was fine!

Today, she has  had a second child and, with some help, Doris has started her own small scale business and is living happy with her family.

The shipment will improve the quality of the health facilities where Doris received care, helping many more like Doris.

Give Now!

Donate to a shipment like this one.

DONATE MONEY

Donate Goods!

Want to donate goods for a shipment like this one?

DONATE GOODS

Kenya Snapshot

Capital: Nairobi
Population: 45.55 million. About half of the population is under 18.

Population below international poverty line of US$1.25 per day: 44%

There are 1.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS ,  1 million children orphaned because of AIDS, and 2.6 million orphans in total.
More than a quarter of children are involved in child labour, mostly in agriculture, but also in the mining industry. A30

“I can now afford to educate my son who is physically challenged. By buying my products you have changed my life, and my family’s, positively.” Refugee craftsman, Mikono Crafts, Kenya

Every good father longs to give his son a safe, fulfilling future. But for the Dads amongst Nairobi’s estimated 100,000 refugees, it’s not something they can always offer. Some of these refugees escaped wars in Somalia, Rwanda and DR Congo. Others fled starvation during the East African famine. Each of them hopes their children will have a more secure future than what they have fled.

Starting a new life from scratch, though, can be almost as traumatic as what they have left behind. Mikono Crafts exists to help refugees in Nairobi – many of whom are living in slums – learn new skills, or use the skills they have, to earn an income and become self-sustaining.

Global Handicrafts sells several products made by refugees working with Mikono, including wooden carvings, adorable soft dolls and our popular banana fibre nativity sets.

See videos about their work here.

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

“I was doing Grade 7 when my father was sentenced to life imprisonment,” recounts Bodiao. “Life came to a standstill as...

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Liberia: Youth empowerment

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? Liberia as a nation is still suffering deep social and economic wounds from a civil war that ended...

read more ...

Syria: Aid and empowerment for refugees

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Mikono Refugee Crafts is based in Kenya.

All Mikono handicrafts are made by refugees from Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, Uganda and Mozambique. Most of these refugees are slum dwellers with the desire and the need to earn a living. Their status does not allow them to find jobs easily but through Mikono they are given the opportunity to use the skills acquired from their home country to make handicrafts that are sold to help support them and their families. Thank you for changing the lives of African refugees through your purchase of a Mikono product!

Shop Now!

Browse Global Handicrafts’ full online range here or visit our shop at Crossroads Village to walk through our colourful global marketplace, with even more handmade delights from around the world, all of which care for the people who made them.

SHOP

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

“I was doing Grade 7 when my father was sentenced to life imprisonment,” recounts Bodiao. “Life came to a standstill as...

read more ...

Liberia: Youth empowerment

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? Liberia as a nation is still suffering deep social and economic wounds from a civil war that ended...

read more ...

Syria: Aid and empowerment for refugees

Shipment Feedback: The conflict in Syria continues to devastate lives and communities, with thousands of people still displaced and living in flimsy...

read more ...

Cameroon: Educating and rebuilding

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? When we first started working with our Cameroonian partners in 2010, they were planning and working on...

read more ...

“An education is perhaps a child’s strongest barrier against poverty.” UNICEF

Hong Kong goods open doors to learning.

Many of the shipments Crossroads sends are to help groups that work to keep children in school. It’s no small feat, in some parts of the world. Almost 1/3 of children in sub-saharan Africa and in many other rural areas of developing nations have never attended any kind of formal school.

We’ve selected just a few images that show how goods donated in Hong Kong and shipped by Crossroads are allowing children around the world to stay in school, learn to read, play and grow! Scroll to the end to see how your school or community group can help, too.

Children like these ones from the Philippines’ Smokey Mountain slum, often spend time with their parents sifting through a massive garbage dump to collect rubbish to sell, and survive. The children pictured, though, now have the chance to play, thanks to a shipment of play equipment and furniture from Crossroads to support their school.

School is serious business for a class of teenagers in Chennai, India. From extremely poor families, they know that studying hard may be their only chance to escape the cycle of poverty they were born into. Their desks were part of one of the many shipments Crossroads has sent to equip the NGO that runs their school!

A major backpack manufacturer donated thousands of brand new, sturdy backpacks to Crossroads. Now some of them are bringing joy to young children in the Gambia, who often have to walk many miles to school, carrying books in their arms.

School for these Kenyan kids used to mean sitting under a tree with their teacher, exposed to the elements, learning what they could with very few materials. Now in a new building, from a local NGO, they are reading their way to a brighter future, thanks to Hong Kong schools who donated boxes and boxes (and boxes!) of books for a Crossroads shipment to equip the school.

Moldovan orphans are among the most deeply vulnerable and disempowered members of their society, at risk of abuse and human trafficking. These ones can’t hide their excitement, though, at a distribution of stationery supplies from a Crossroads shipment, which helped an NGO who works to support and protect Moldovan orphans.

Without the opportunity offered by this non-profit school in Cambodia, many of the orphans and vulnerable children pictured would have no formal education at all. Desks donated to Crossroads by Hong Kong schools are now giving new life to these Cambodian children’s learning!

Your school or group can get involved! Talk to us about running a collection drive of stationery kits, school supplies, educational toys, or raising money to sponsor an educational shipment that can help children in developing nations stay in school.

Email communications@crossroads.org.hk for more information or to discuss collection ideas.

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

“I was doing Grade 7 when my father was sentenced to life imprisonment,” recounts Bodiao. “Life came to a standstill as...

read more ...

Liberia: Youth empowerment

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? Liberia as a nation is still suffering deep social and economic wounds from a civil war that ended...

read more ...

Syria: Aid and empowerment for refugees

Shipment Feedback: The conflict in Syria continues to devastate lives and communities, with thousands of people still displaced and living in flimsy...

read more ...

Cameroon: Educating and rebuilding

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? When we first started working with our Cameroonian partners in 2010, they were planning and working on...

read more ...

Kenya is a welcoming, sun-drenched country, known by tourists for its stunning native wildlife and safari holidays. There are many areas of Kenya, however, that are suffering in deep poverty. The region we are shipping to, in the south-western corner of the country, is a remote area of about 9,500 people, where unemployment is very high, and most people live a hand-to-mouth existence growing what food they can. Some villages have no access to clean water at all, meaning children become frequently sick from water-borne illnesses, and because education is scarce, HIV/Aids is 15% higher in this area than the national average.

The organisation we are shipping to works with women and orphans/vulnerable children in this part of Kenya. They know that statistics show when women in a community are empowered through education and business opportunities, the entire community can be lifted out of poverty.

Traditionally, women in this area who want to start a business or take out a loan for a new venture find it almost impossible to get credit, and are thus stuck in their poverty, regardless of their talent, motivation and creative ideas. This organisation, as well as running widespread successful HIV educational campaigns, has started a micro-loans scheme, helping women such as Mrs Nguono, a widow with 7 children. Mrs Nguono was desperately trying to care for her children, with no income and living in a rundown hut. After receiving a loan through this organisation, she was able to start her own small business, repay the loan, and build a new house of galvanised metal for her family. She is now proudly supporting her family comfortably.

The organisation has asked us for help, because they would like to expand their services but have no way of affording to purchase the equipment and furniture they need to do this, operating as they are, on a tiny NGO budget. They’ve asked for clothing and household items for distribution amongst the ‘overwhelming number of destitute families’, as well as furniture, computers and other specific items that they hope to use in new projects such as a handicrafts job creation scheme.

Hope after incarceration: Zambia

“I was doing Grade 7 when my father was sentenced to life imprisonment,” recounts Bodiao. “Life came to a standstill as...

read more ...

Liberia: Youth empowerment

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? Liberia as a nation is still suffering deep social and economic wounds from a civil war that ended...

read more ...

Syria: Aid and empowerment for refugees

Shipment Feedback: The conflict in Syria continues to devastate lives and communities, with thousands of people still displaced and living in flimsy...

read more ...

Cameroon: Educating and rebuilding

WHO IS THIS SHIPMENT HELPING? When we first started working with our Cameroonian partners in 2010, they were planning and working on...

read more ...