Christmas appeal to help disadvantaged children in Kenya

A LOCAL charity that supports abused and disadvantaged children in Kenya has launched a Christmas appeal with hopes of raising $100,000.

Rafiki Mwema was founded by Sarah Rosburg with support from residents in Lennox Head.

Rosburg has been working in foreign aid for more than 20 years and continues her work from back home on the Northern Rivers.

Her team has spent over a decade supporting young girls who have been sexually abused and boys living on the street in Kenya.

“At Rafiki Mwema, we don’t just focus on making Christmas a special day – our aim is to make every day safe and filled with the stability our children deserve,” Rosburg said

“Our goal is to raise $100,000 to cover the daily costs of caring for over 70 children in our homes, and more than 100 in our outreach program.

“(The) support makes sure they can continue to receive the care, love, and stability they need to heal, every single day, all year round.”

Rosburg was originally a volunteer at an orphanage in Kenya.

With the help of friends Claire Harding and Nicci Meredith, she later registered Rafiki Mwema as a charity.

Since then, the group has helped hundreds of children rebuild their lives.

It has a 5.6-hectare (14-acre) self-sufficient farm with several homes and a school.

The organisation employs 45 Kenyan staff and is supported by about 35 Australian volunteers.

“To kick off our appeal, an anonymous donor has offered to match every single donation, dollar for dollar, up to $13,000,” Rosburg said. “This means gifts will have twice the impact, ensuring twice as much care and support for a child who needs it.”

More than 250 people attended the Rafiki Royale event at Lennox Head earlier this year, which raised $55,000 to support a full month of operations in Kenya.

Donations can be made at rafikimwema.donorsupport.co/page/FUNMWGGWZXL