BirdLife Africa C&W Committee The BirdLife Africa Secretariat staff recently visited the Back to Eden Children’s Home in Nairobi, Kenya. Zoom In

BirdLife Africa staff visit children's home

09-12-2008

BirdLife International staff in Africa recently visited a children's home in Nairobi (Kenya) to spend time with the less fortunate. They helped to cook, served food, played with the children and talked about the importance of education and wildlife.

The visit was part of the BirdLife Africa Secretariat's 'Social Responsibility Initiative'. "We hope that the children become future champions for the sustainable use of biodiversity", said Jane Gaithuma, Chairperson of the BirdLife Africa Charities and Welfare Committee.

The Back to Eden Children's Home is home to 38 underprivileged children between 3 and 14 years old. At the home children are safe, mentored to by a pastor, play with other children and, above all, they have access to meals.

During the visit the BirdLife staff served lunch, ate with the children and spoke about the importance of education. They engaged the children to talk about conservation of the environment and some confessed to trapping birds, taking their eggs and nests. "We talked about the need to preserve birds and wider biodiversity", said Jane. "The children promised to take care of wildlife from now on and to ensure whenever a tree was cut in their compound two trees would be planted".

Back to Eden's Director, Ms Hawa, thanked the BirdLife Africa Secretariat for visiting the home and showing the children that they were loved. She also thanked staff for their generous contributions which will greatly help the home. "We hope to make annual visits to Back to Eden", commented Jane.

"The day was well spent serving our future, and we wish to thank the members of staff for giving generously", said Jane. The visit was organized by the BirdLife Africa Secretariat's Charities and Welfare Committee.