Child Sponsorship background from Eldoret, Kenya

SOS Children's Village Eldoret

Eldoret lies near the Ugandan border in the Uasin Gishu District in the mid-west of the country, some 380 km North-West of Nairobi. Roughly 70,000 inhabitants make Eldoret Kenya's fifth largest town. An unprecedented boom was caused by the recent settlement of several large industrial businesses in greater Eldoret. The subsequent influx of people from the neighbouring regions searching for jobs led to a rise in the number of children in need. This sparked the construction of an SOS Children's Village in Eldoret in 1988. The SOS Children’s Village Eldoret was formally opened on 1 March 1995.

The SOS Children's Village Eldoret lies four km from Eldoret, and consists of twelve family houses, a village director's house, a guest house, an administrative and service block, and a house for the SOS Aunts (SOS Aunts take care of the children in case of an SOS Mother's absence).

Other SOS Projects in Eldoret

The attached SOS Nursery started operating in 1990. The nursery consists of three group rooms, a playground and several secondary rooms. It is currently attended by 75 children from both the SOS Children's Village, and the local neighbourhood.

From about 15 years of age onwards, the SOS young people are housed in the five SOS Youth Homes for the period of their secondary/vocational education, giving them more responsibility as they are only supervised by one youth educator. SOS mothers, village directors and psychologists carefully prepare the youngsters for this significant step towards independence, to which roughly four years are assigned; extendable for prolonged education or job search.

Since its establishment in 1989, the SOS Primary and Secondary School has developed into an essential educational facility. An expansion became necessary in 1991, as the classrooms could no longer absorb the increasing pupil numbers resulting from the school's good reputation. Some 700 pupils from the SOS Children's Village and the local neighbourhood currently attend the school, which consists of 19 classrooms, a computer lab, a library, two tech labs, a multi-purpose hall, and administrative block, and staff accommodation. Many trees were planted, and play and sports grounds were established next to the school. A small tuition fee is necessary as the school is responsible for paying the teachers. A reduction is available for those children especially in need.

Background to Eldoret

The town is now home to a large market, Moi University and Eldoret International Airport. It is also known for its cheese factory. Major industries include textiles, wheat, pyrethrum and corn. The town has a number of factories.

Eldoret is home to Moi University with a student population of 14,855 as of 2006. The second medical school in Kenya, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, is also located in within the city limits of Eldoret Town, as well as Eldoret Polytechnic, the third national polytechnic.

Eldoret is the hometown of numerous legendary Kenyan runners, the most renowned of whom is Kipchoge Keino. The high altitude is an ideal training ground for many middle and long distance athletes. The runners from Eldoret have contributed significantly to the economy of Eldoret town from their winnings in races all over the world.