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Building bridges of hope across the Mara
Where would you like to go?

As of 2003, 56 percent of the Kenyan population lives below the poverty line—$17 per month in rural areas and $36 per month in urban areas. Extreme poverty (defined as those living under $1 per day) includes almost 30 percent of Kenya’s current population. In the Narok South District where Free The Children focuses its efforts, one in 10 Kenyan children still die before reaching their fifth birthday. One third of children under five years of age are stunted, reflecting chronic under-nutrition. This proportion is 14 times higher than the level expected in a healthy, well-nourished population.

the issues.

Free The Children has been operating in Kenya since 1999 within the Narok South District, working with both Kipsigis and Maasai communities. Through the Adopt a Village program, we’ve engaged many communities across the Mara and built schools, libraries, water projects, latrines, kitchens and teachers’ accommodations. There are now many communities involved in our development and education projects in these communities and our team of community outreach and development workers consistently works with active women’s, men’s and youth groups.

  • 26% of Kenyan children aged five to 14 are working in child labour.
  • Almost 30% of Kenyans live in extreme poverty on less than $1 per day.
  • ¼ of all Kenyan girls under the age of 15 are married.
  • Although mosquito nets could reduce the spread of malaria by 50%, only 15% of Kenyan children under the age of five sleeps under a mosquito net.

where we work now.

Click here to learn more about Free The Children’s past projects.

emori joi, kenya

Changing Lives: Meet Florida

Florida Cherotich is a fun-loving 14-year-old girl who lives in Emori Joi. Like many children in her community, Florida comes from a large family. She shares her small home with her seven brothers and sisters who range from eight to 20 years old. Both of her parents are farmers and, just like her siblings, Florida is expected to help as often as possible.

Thanks to the central school that Free The Children has built in Emori Joi, Florida has access to an education for the first time in her life. While she still helps her parents with the farm work, Florida can now spend most of her time in activities appropriate for children her age.

Today, Florida is very much a happy child, full of life. She likes spending time with friends, reading and helping out on her parents’ farm, which is her favourite thing to do at home. When not studying or doing her chores, Florida enjoys playing basketball and hide-and-go-seek with all her friends. When asked about Free The Children, Florida excitedly talks about how her school and home life has improved thanks to the organization’s projects.

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get involved!

Take action for Kenya today! Follow these steps:
1 Share Kenya’s issues with your school with an awareness event. 2 Start a Free The Children group dedicated to Kenya. 3 Fundraise for Adopt a Village in Kenya.
Thinking of taking action for Kenya with your students? Here’s how you can:
1 Book a motivational speaker to teach students the issues. 2 Sign your class up for the Brick by Brick campaign in Kenya. 3 Hold a class-wide fundraiser for Adopt a Village in Kenya.
You and your kids can make a difference in Kenya. Here’s how:
1 Take a family trip to build a development project in Kenya. 2 Enroll your kids in a Take Action Academy to learn more. 3 Make a group donation to Adopt a Village in Kenya.
Want to engage our team in helping Kenya? Follow these steps:
1 Book a speaker to motivate your office into action. 2 Download our corporate brochure for ways to help. 3 Hold an office pool for donations to Kenya projects.
Together We Can Change the World.