The "Dream Project" is very dear to the hearts of our acrobats. Going back to Kenya was very hard for us to see our children sleeping on the streets, and eating from the dumps. We then decided to help some of the kids. We can't help all the Kids, but we want to try to help as many as we can. We are partnered with Rachel Gichia. She has been wonderful to these kids. What started off as a lady just wanting to help children left on her doorstep, has turned in a lady taking in 26 kids. This lady has been doing this using her own money along with her husband. Right now we have started selling statues and other items in order to help the "Dream Project".
We also sell copies of our show cd's at our venues.
***MISSION STATEMENT***
Since we sre just starting this here in 2007, we have such a long way to go.
But our hopes are:
1. Build an actual orphanage.
2. Build bunk beds for the kids
3. Provide tables and chairs for the kids to eat
4. Provide school fees and uniforms
5. Provide food
6. Provide medical attention
7. Provide clean drinking water.
The problem of homelessness, poverty and street children faces every country and should concern us all. The United Nations estimates that their are over 150 million street children world wide. Whether the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Mumbai, Free Town, Bucharest or New York, the problems children face on the street are much the same. Hunger and safety are endless concerns, while drug and alcohol abuse run rampant. Street children are highly susceptible to become victims of abuse or human trafficking. Therefore street children run high risk of drug and alcohol abuse, contacting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
We have choosen to help the kids in Kenya because we speak the language. And we can better see what happens with the money that we send, As we do travel home each year.
One of the ways we will bring money to the Dream Project is to provide our Cirque Africa show to the community. We are looking for sponsors and would like portions of the profit to go to the Dream Project.
If you would like to send any items to help Please email me, and I will provide you a mailing address.
Karenkalama@aol.com
