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Winnie accepted into university

On 3 March 2016, The Ministry of Education released the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) results. We were very pleased to learn that Winnie passed her exams and achieved the marks she needed to qualify for a place at university. The Kickstart team are proud of Winnie for her achievements, which have come about from her own hard work and dedication to her studies. She is truly setting a great example for the girls at Olturoto Childrens Village (OCV) and is a brilliant role model. In December 2015, we announced that Winnie had accepted a paid position at OCV, after high school, as a tutor to the girls and was learning admin and computer skills before she starts university in September 2016. To read more about Winnie's journey with Kickstart, click here  Winnie passes high school exams - gains place at university.

By |March 12th, 2016|Latest News, News|0 Comments

Winnie comes full circle

You may have read about Winnie’s, one of our older beneficiaries, and her amazing journey in an article A Reflection from the Frontline of Hope by one of Kickstart’s directors Daniel Street. Winnie has been under Kickstart’s wings since she was nine years old and she recently completed high school. We are overjoyed to share that Winnie just joined the team at OCV as a tutor as she waits to start university in 2016! What an amazing story of courage and transformation. From being a beneficiary herself to impacting lives of other girls in similar circumstances  she was in. Whilst at OCV, Winnie will help the children with their homework on a day to day basis as well as provide extra tuition in English and Maths. The girls have taken well to her and are so excited to have a “big sister” to look up to. To them, Winnie is more than just a tutor. She represents  the positive trajectory their lives will take as a result of their interaction with Kickstart. In Winnie, they can witness the sheer possibilities of a transformed life ahead of them as they continue to journey with us. Indeed, Winnie is a symbol of promise and opportunity. During her time at OCV, Winnie will also get exposure to basic office duties and will also attend part time computer classes in preparation for her University studies.

By |December 9th, 2015|Latest News, News|0 Comments

New Farm Manager for Olturoto

Kickstart is pleased to welcome Esther Kingori as the new Farm Manager at Olturoto. Esther Kingori is an agronomist with 15 years’ experience working within the agricultural industry in Kenya including nine years at horticultural giant East African Growers where she held various positions and managed over 100 acres of land at various farms within the company. Esther brings on board her expertise growing various crops and herbs for export and local consumption e.g. snow peas, sugar snaps, chilies, French beans, sage, thyme, basil, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, cabbages, capsicums, cauliflower, broccoli and sweet corn. She has also successfully managed her own 31 acre farm. Esther's primary role will be to ensure that the farm is operating at optimum profitability in order to attain financial sustainability will which allow us to support the children at Olturoto. She will also ensure consistent supply of vegetables and fruits for the home contributing to the children's nutritional wellbeing. Esther has joined the team in Kenya at a critical time as we prepare to take in additional children in 2016. The farm remains a significant focal component of our sustainability strategy in the operations in Kenya. We believe Esther has the right skills, attributes and technical knowledge to make a difference. We wish her the very best as she continues to settle in and look forward to seeing great results on the Farm.

By |November 13th, 2015|Latest News, News|0 Comments

A Reflection from the Frontline of Hope

Kickstart Board Director Daniel Street has written about his personal experience working with Kickstart in a moving essay titled A Reflection from the Frontline of Hope. The essay provides a unique look into the experiences of the kids that have been helped by Kickstart and the work that Kickstart is continuing to do. In particular, Daniel explores Winnie's journey with Kickstart, from a nine year old orphan in a slum in Kayole to an 18 year old young woman in her final year of high school looking to the future and her aspirations of becoming a doctor and helping others. Click here to read the essay. About Daniel: Daniel Street works in Global Economics and Strategy for the private-sector arm of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation, in Washington, D.C. He has served on the Australian Board of Kickstart Kids International Ltd since 2013.

By |October 16th, 2015|Latest News, News|1 Comment

New DIY Fundraiser Kit

Our new DIY Fundraiser Kit is now available! We have created a comprehensive kit to provide you with everything you need to run a fun and successful fundraising event. There are many ways you can fundraise. You might do something all of your own design - a morning tea, your first 5km run without stopping, or a girls night in. You might join others in a large event such as the City to Surf, the Colour Run or, if you’re really committed, an Ironman! Click the link below access the kit. If you have any questions about running a fundraiser do not hesitate to contact any of the Kickstart team or drop an email to info@kickstartkidsinternational.com Link: DIY-Fundraising.pdf

By |September 4th, 2015|Latest News, News|0 Comments

Annual reports 2014

Kickstart Kids International has today released its 2014 Australian and UK Annual Reports. In addition, we have permission from our Kenyan development partner, Nanga Organization, to also release its 2014 Annual Report. We warmly invite you to browse these reports where you will find information on our overseas aid activities, our performance and corporate governance structures. If you have any questions or require further information about Kickstart Kids International’s corporate governance, please contact us. Annual Reports: Kickstart Kids International Limited (AU) Kickstart Kids International UK Nanga Organisation 

By |March 27th, 2015|Latest News, News|0 Comments

Fraud against Kickstart in Nairobi

Once again, Kickstart has been the target of fraudulent activity. A group in Nairobi are pretending to represent our management team and offering positions within our organisation for a bribe. Kickstart is not hiring at the moment. Any legitimate recruitment drives run in the future will be advertised publicly through Nairobi newspapers and verifiable via our website.

By |March 8th, 2015|Latest News|0 Comments

The first eight girls

The first eight girls have joined the new children’s home  On Friday 27 June 2014 Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV) opened its doors to eight little Kenyan girls aged five to ten years old. Three sets of sisters, Dorcas & Faith, Vivian & Lillian, Shiiru & Sarah, arrived on Friday and and Maria and Esther arrived on Saturday. The girls will be living at ‘Grace’ which is the first of four children’s homes to open at OCV. The girls have come from the streets of Nairobi where they have been exposed to often dangerous conditions and have gone without basic care and education. They arrived today with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Kickstart has partnered with two charities, Rescue Dada and CARA, to help identify the most vulnerable and at-risk children to join OCV. The goal of OCV is one of long term reintegration, meaning OCV will be a half way home for the kids until they are ready to transition into a loving family environment. While living at OCV, the girls will be cared for on a daily basis by our new matron, Mary (pictured far left), and supported by our highly experienced Programme Manager, William (second from right). The girls will attend Olturoto Primary School and for some this will be their first exposure to formal education. Since purchasing land in 2009, Kickstart’s team across Kenya, Australia and the UK have been focused on designing OCV in a way that promotes local empowerment through sustainability principles. Environmental sustainability is achieved through obtaining all power from renewable sources (wind and solar), cooking with biogas, water sourced on site and waste also treated on site. We are also targeting financial sustainability through a commercial farm operated by our OCV [...]

By |June 28th, 2014|Latest News|0 Comments

New Programme Manager for OCV

Kickstart recruits experienced Programme Manager for Olturoto Children’s Village Kenya, May 2014 Kickstart Kids International, in local partnership with Nanga Organisation in Kenya, today announced the appointment of William Odipo as Programme Manager for Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV). Joining from Koinonia Community Kenya, William will manage the day to day activities at Olturoto Children’s Village primarily responsible for the care of the children and driving the reintegration programme to ensure each child finds a permanent home after OCV. His initial focus will be to build a local team of qualified matrons and support staff. James Woodward, Chairman and Founder, commented: “Our commitment to provide the best practice quality of care for orphaned and disadvantaged children is only possible with a high calibre team in Kenya. We are assembling a staff of experienced people who share our vision and William’s solid experience in child welfare, counselling and psychology, as well as his deep understanding of the local community, makes him a perfect fit. We are pleased to welcome him to the Kickstart family.” William has a strong background in programme management initiatives that support the reintegration of orphaned and vulnerable children into family environments. During his career, William has managed a team of seven responsible for over 500 children, coordinated the reintegration of over 100 children back to their families and has worked strategically with key stakeholders including governments, charities, educational institutions and community organisations. At Kiononia, William implemented the Children’s Act of Kenya 2001, the Charitable Children’s Institutions Regulations 2005, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of a Child and the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child. Speaking about his move, William said “I am enthusiastic about Kickstart’s sustainable approach [...]

By |May 6th, 2014|Latest News, News|0 Comments

Tax deductible in Australia

Kickstart Kids is now tax deductible in Australia. Sydney, April 2014 Kickstart Kids International Overseas Aid Fund has been accredited by the Australian Tax Office as a Deductible Gift Recipient, making all donations in Australia over $2 tax deductible. This is a significant achievement for Kickstart, and an endorsement of the organisation’s commitment to project sustainability and reporting transparency through compliance with AusAID’s Overseas Aid Gift Deduction Scheme. Kickstart has a strong supporter base in Australia and from 20 March these supporters will be able to claim tax deductions when making donations. This includes both recurring donations and one off donations made at www.givenow.com.au/kickstartkidsinternational The team are hopeful that this will encourage more people to sign up for recurring monthly donations to help support Kickstart’s work with orphaned children at Olturoto Children’s Village in Kenya. A consistent income stream through monthly donations will enable Kickstart to plan ahead for project expansion and improve the quality of care that is provided to the children Kickstart is serving. This is only possible with the donations received from supporters and it is now easier than ever before to help. For further information: For questions about supporting Kickstart contact our Sponsorship Coordinator Elyse Bakunowicz elyse.bakunowicz@kickstartkidsinternational.com To make a tax deductible donation from Australia visit www.givenow.com.au/kickstartkidsinternational Kickstart Kids International is a charitable organisation working with impoverished communities in sustainable ways to kickstart the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. Kickstart Kids International has been working with orphanage children in Kenya since 2007. Kickstart’s second children’s centre in Kenya, Olturoto Children’s Village, will open its doors in 2014 with capacity for 32 children at a time, focusing on reintegration, project sustainability and local empowerment. The Kickstart Kids International network consists of registered not-for-profit [...]

By |April 9th, 2014|Latest News|0 Comments