To support the needs of the community, we have to understand the community

The mission of The Collective for Orphan Care and Education (COCE) goes beyond providing educational support for the youth in Busia County, Kenya. COCE is dedicated to supporting Busia County in several capacities. COCE believes that providing resources and support for all needs that arise within the community members of Busia County will lead to a catalyst for community-wide change, support, and growth.  

What is the issue? 

Currently, Busia County is facing several pressing social issues. Those issues include a rising poverty index, healthcare challenges, food insecurity, a lack of access to clean and safe water, and a need for educational support (Namwalo, 2022). These issues can directly impact the well-being, health, and safety of the children of Busia County by causing developmental delays that can have a long-lasting impact on a child’s life. Furthermore, issues, such as the rising poverty index, can affect a child’s ability to attend and complete school. Education is a way to provide a child with safety, opportunities, and life skills and can deter child marriage and prevent exposure to HIV and Aids.

What is COCE doing? 

Within Busia County, COCE is ensuring that all youths in Busia County have access to education, safety, and resources. COCE continues to promote the well-being of the community in Busia County through the sponsorship of children's education. This equips students with tools needed to complete their education and empowers them to become future community leaders. Once it is built and filled, the library in Sijowa Village will become a center for the community and provide an accessible source of books, programs, technology, and other educational materials.  

What can you do? 

Children living stable, healthy, and safe lives lead to a positively functioning society. Children grow up to be community leaders and play a crucial role in ending generational cycles. Investing in the lives of children and ensuring they have access to resources, such as education, is key in supporting Busia County.  COCE could not do the work they do, without people like you. You can help meet the needs of the youth in Busia County, Kenya, today. By donating to COCE’s general fund or by sponsoring a child you are pouring hope, change, and opportunities into the lives of entire communities. Any donation makes an impact on a child’s life. To learn more about how sponsoring a child’s education can make a difference, click here. To learn more about our mission and how to make a donation, click here.    

Reference:  

Namwalo, A. (2022, October 6). Busia poverty level shoots from 70% in 2021 to 83% in 2022. Kenya News Agency. https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/busia-poverty-level-shoots-from-70-in-2021-to-83-in-2022/