World Relief - Where We Work

Half of Kenya’s 35 million people live below the poverty line.

Three quarters of Kenyans are employed in subsistence agriculture. With 1.3 million people living with AIDS, the impact on the economic and social fabric of the nation is great.

In Kenya, World Relief mobilizes and equips local churches to respond to the HIV/AIDS crisis in their communities with Mobilizing for Life, a comprehensive AIDS prevention and care program.

Mobilizing For Life
Youth, parents, church leaders and community members are targeted with abstinence messages to prevent the spread of the disease.

Since 2004, peer education activities have already reached over 300,000 and will reach 100,000 new youth this year. Youth embrace the message and make wise choices to protect them into the future.

Over 1.7 million children have been orphaned by AIDS in Kenya. Church volunteers visit them in their homes. They offer emotional and livelihood support, pray with them and encourage them to stay in school. Church leaders and communities have developed entire businesses to support orphans and vulnerable children in their midst. As churches reach out, they offer children the love and physical support they need to thrive.

Compassion and Comfort
Faraja, which means “comfort”, brings volunteers into the homes and hearts of more than 400 people living with AIDS in the Kware slums. Volunteers learn to provide basic care for people and families living with AIDS. They offer friendship and model acceptance to the community. Faraja also offers small business assistance to people living with AIDS. Instead of loneliness and despair, people find themselves cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually.

“I had such a low self-esteem…” said one Faraja client, “but the counselor encouraged me, caring for my physical illness and telling me God loves me and has a plan for me.”