Rising from the Ashes: Help Rebuild Kibera Pride Children’s Home After Devastating Fires

On the quiet evening of Monday, September 16th, Kibera Pride Children’s Home, a sanctuary for 56 orphaned and vulnerable children, was filled with the usual sounds of laughter and play. But at 7:45 pm, tragedy struck. A sudden fire broke out in the girls’ sleeping room, where 22 girls aged between 5 and 17 years slept.

The affected girls’ room and clothing remains

Neighbors rushed to the scene, battling the flames with whatever they could find. Miraculously, no lives were lost, and everyone escaped unharmed, but most of the children’s belongings were consumed by the fire. That night, the nearby CFK Center provided shelter, and despite the shock, the children found comfort in prayer and rested with hopes of a better tomorrow.

The children at CFK Hall after the fire incident

The following day, September 17th, the children returned to the charred remains of their sleeping room, trying to salvage what little was left—shoes, clothes, school uniforms, even a few treasured toys. The weight of loss was heavy, but their hearts seemed resilient. Yet, just as they began to recover, disaster struck again. During supper, another fire erupted in the storeroom of the second block, which housed the home’s food supplies and essential items. Panic spread as flames threatened to engulf neighbouring structures. Once again, neighbours sprang into action, tearing down a section of the fence to prevent the fire from spreading. For 30 agonizing minutes, shouts of “leta maji” filled the air as they fought the fire with buckets of water until the fire brigades arrived. Despite their efforts, the storeroom was reduced to rubble, taking with it food supplies, clothes, and school materials from the learning centre, where the youngest children once explored the world through books and lessons.

 

Learning section (before)

Learning section (after)

Kibera Pride Children’s Home spans two adjacent blocks. The first block contains a sitting and a playing area for activities, the girls’ and boys’ sleeping rooms, the director’s office, the kitchen, and the matrons’ room. The second block, now heavily damaged, housed the learning centre, art room, and the big boys’ sleeping room, with a mabati-built storeroom attached. In just two days, the home has lost almost everything—food, clothing, bedding, and learning supplies. Yet, amid the destruction, the spirit of the children and their caregivers remains unbroken, united in their hope for a brighter future.

From left (storeroom on fire, remains of the store, & destroyed fence)

So, what started the fires? The cause remains unclear. The first fire appeared to be the result of an electrical fault, but the second blaze sparked suspicion of arson, possibly instigated by an outsider.

Now more than ever, Kibera Pride Children’s Home needs the support of its community. The road to recovery will be long, but with help, the children can regain what was lost.

Below are the immediate needs:

Essential Supplies

1. Food supplies for approximately 60 children. This includes groceries, cereals, flour, etc.;⁠
2. Clothing and bedding for girls aged 5 to 17.
3. Toiletries and household supplies — this includes tissues, soap, sanitary towels, toothpaste and brushes, diapers, etc.
4. School materials such as shoes, uniforms, exercise books, stationery, charts, and textbooks.

Renovation Areas

1. Storeroom (construction)
2. Learning section (daycare) repair — tables and chairs
3. Gate and Fence repair
4. Girl’s sleeping room
5. Electrical Wiring
6. Roofing and Painting

From restoring the children’s sense of faith to rebuilding the damaged structures, this moment presents an opportunity to create something even stronger. These children, who have already endured so much, require reassurance that they are not alone in their struggle. With the collective support of the community, we can help them not only recover from this tragedy but emerge from it stronger, more resilient, and ready to thrive once again.

Any support… prayer, visit, donation, or spreading the word is welcome.

MPESA
Paybill: 400222
Account: 121491#SaveKP

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Thank you for your generosity.