Poverty-stricken and AIDS orphaned children face horrible discrimination. There are many “child-headed” families in Kenya where the oldest child acts as the parent for younger siblings. However, many times the children are kicked out of their village or abandoned to die. All they have is to turn to the streets and garbage piles as they try to survive. Many do not survive.

Those who are able to attend school are singled out as orphans even by the school headmasters and teachers, giving them a sense of not belonging. One of the dreams of Starfish and House of Hope is to have a school where not only the children of House of Hope can be educated in a nurturing and supportive environment, without being labeled, but also to offer a welcome to other children who would like to attend school whose families may not have the resources.

One-hundred percent (100%) of the funds donated to Starfish Kenya go directly to the needs of the children.  Any and all administrative costs incurred by Starfish Kenya are underwriten by specific  board members and Gateway Community Church.

There are approximately 33 million people in Kenya. Over 2 million children have been orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that 700 people a day die of AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses in Kenya. That’s 4900 per week; 254,800 per year. Kenya is approximately the size of Texas.