Vulnerable Children In Soweto Are Trading Their Dignity For Food – Here’s How You Can Help

• Children in Soweto, Kayole, are trading their bodies to afford a plate of food.
• Usikimye, a GBV-based NGO in Kayole, has created a feeding program to help keep these children in school and avoid exploitation.
• Join TUKO.co.ke and Kenyans to support this feeding program by donating to Usikimye

Imagine being in class, trying to focus, but you haven’t eaten in three days. You live in Soweto, where poverty is everywhere, and even your neighbors can’t help because they’re struggling too.

You’re forced to beg or look for small jobs to help, but sometimes there’s nothing. One day, a man in your neighborhood offers you fifty shillings for food if you sleep with him. You’re scared; it hurts, but you need to eat. You do it once, then again. Then, you find yourself pregnant. Your family shames you, and school becomes impossible because of the trauma. With no support and a child to raise, your future seems hopeless.

Sadly, this is a harsh reality for many children in Kayole’s Soweto slums. Poverty robs them of their dignity and forces them into cycles of violent situations just to survive.

But there’s hope…

Usikimye, an organisation known for rescuing survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), runs a feeding program in Soweto that provides meals to 600 to 1,000 vulnerable children every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

This program is not just about feeding hungry children; it’s about giving them a chance to stay in school, stay safe, and avoid the dangers of exploitation.

In areas where children sometimes have to trade their dignity for food, Usikimye’s program gives them a safe and reliable alternative. So far, they serve 30,000 meals and 30,000 cups of uji every month, but the need continues to grow. That’s why Usikimye is asking for your help.

How You Can Help

• KSh 1,000: Feed a child for a whole month.
• KSh 500: Provide a child with uji for a month.

Every coin counts. You can donate to their Paybill number: 891300 Account Name: USIKIMYE

You can also donate sanitary towels, food, and clothing, especially for young school-going children who lack uniforms and shoes.

If you want to donate beyond the Paybill, contact Ruby Orimba from TUKO.co.ke at 0715804367 for more details.

By supporting Usikimye’s feeding program, you’re not only providing meals, you’re giving these children hope and a chance for a brighter future.

Spread the Word and Make a Difference

Share this message and encourage others to join the cause. Together, we can help protect and nourish vulnerable children in Soweto.