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DONATIONS
Donations are crucial to the success of our projects. Without your support, many initiatives aimed at assisting vulnerable people, particularly children, would not be feasible. Thanks to the generosity of individuals around the world who are committed to making a difference, we empower both children and adults in poverty to lead happier and more fulfilling lives.
As Mahatma Gandhi wisely stated, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Your contributions embody this spirit of service and enable us to continue our important work.
We invite you to support our projects by making a donation. Your generosity will make a significant difference in the lives of those we serve, helping us to continue our vital work and reach more individuals in need. Every contribution, no matter the size, is greatly appreciated and goes directly toward our programs and initiatives.
Thank you for considering a donation and for being a part of our mission to create positive changes in other people’s lives.
Students From Local Primary School
Workshops & Classes
All of our programs, workshops and classes are offered free of charge to children and teenagers in our villages.
We’re excited to offer a variety of community workshops, programs and classes designed to foster connection, creativity, and personal growth. Whether children are looking to enhance their skills, explore new interests, or simply meet new friends, our diverse range of activities has something for everyone.
School fees in our villages are very expensive for many parents, particularly those living in poverty. As a result, numerous children are unable to complete their education due to financial constraints. Students who cannot afford to pay fees are frequently sent home by their teachers and end up spending their days idly in the village, missing out on valuable learning opportunities.
Additionally, corruption in many schools across Kenya makes the problem even worse, depriving students of essential resources such as textbooks, pencils, computers, and basic learning materials. This lack of resources extends to basic needs such as school lunches and even clean drinking water and water for sanitation.
In response to these challenges, Village Lounge has taken action to support the children in our villages, striving to improve both their education and quality of life. By doing so, we also provide valuable support to their parents, by offering their children more than what traditional schooling can provide.
Together with Students, Nyundo FC Coach and English School Teacher
Science & Technology
Teachers: Kenny Diaz, Stella Kabibi
During this workshop we teach children and teenagers basic, essential computer skills! Through empowering the next generation with technology we open doors of opportunities and innovation for their future.
We initially began our efforts with just one computer, and now we have two. In fact, we are currently using our own personal computers to teach the children. At present, we have 18 students participating, with more expected to join our classes. The children we teach are unfamiliar with even the most basic aspects of computers, such as identifying a mouse or keyboard, or navigating the screen. This stands in stark contrast to their peers in the developed world, who are exposed to computers and smartphones from a very early age.
Our goal is to help these children keep pace with global technological advancements. Children in our villages do not have access to computers, phones, or televisions. This absence of technology in our villages significantly hinders children’s ability to keep pace with the rapidly developing world. This is perpetuating the cycle of poverty. By offering courses in science, technology, and computer studies, we provide these children with the opportunity to stay current with global technological advancements.
In the future, the skills they acquire through our workshops and classes may help them secure employment or, at the very least, broaden their perspectives on potential career paths and business opportunities. After each computer skills class, participating students are given the opportunity to practice their new learned skills and for a brief period, play simple, basic computer games .
The funds we receive for these classes and workshops, are primarily allocated to cover electricity costs, and water for the children, as well as to provide a very small, modest compensation for the teachers.
Teaching Basic Computer Skills
Culture & Arts
Instructors: Gift Yaah, Stella Kabibi, Toto Wanje
Our culture and arts program provides a dynamic platform for children in our villages to explore and express their creativity while honoring our indigenous traditions. Through workshops, performances, and exhibitions, the program fosters community engagement and cultivates an appreciation for diverse art forms, including drama, music, and dance.
This program offers children living in poverty the opportunity to acquire new skills, collaborate with peers, and experience enriching activities similar to those available to their counterparts in the developed world. This initiative not only enhances individual development but also strengthens community bonds and promotes cultural heritage.
The Giriama tribe, along with its rich traditions, remains relatively unknown to the world. Through our culture and arts program, we aim to change this by giving children in our villages this opportunity to showcase their heritage and share their way of life, highlighting both their joys and struggles, their playful games, and the challenges they face in everyday life. This not only allows them to express their unique experiences, talents and gifts but also has the potential to inspire and educate their peers in more developed parts of the world by providing a glimpse into the daily lives of Kenyan village children.
The videos we produce are shared across all of our social media channels, and the children themselves decide what to perform, whether it be acting, singing, dancing, or any other form of artistic expression. They take charge of organizing and practicing, with our role, as instructors, to guide, assist, and teach them wherever necessary. We encourage their independence and creativity, particularly during our culture and arts days.
As a donor, subscriber, or viewer of our channels, you are warmly invited to share any ideas for short films, videos, or artistic performances that you would like to see the children create and share on to our social media pages.
The funds we receive for this program are primarily allocated to cover electricity and water costs, a complimentary free vegan lunch during the program, and to offer a very small, modest compensation for the teachers and chefs who prepare the meals.
Culture and Arts Day
English
Teachers: Stella Kabibi, Toto Wanje
At Giriama Village Lounge, we’re dedicated to empowering our local children by teaching them English which opens doors to new opportunities and brighter futures.
Corruption in Kenyan schools, particularly in rural areas, has severely impacted the quality of education. Many students do not receive the proper instruction they need, partly because teachers often lack motivation to invest in their students development, with low wages being one of the contributing factors, which is a result of government corruption.
A secondary school teacher from our local secondary school, after learning about the programs, workshops and classes we offer at Giriama Village Lounge, informed us that many students enter secondary school without basic proficiency in English. He noted that their English skills are significantly below standard, despite it being a core subject in primary school. Based on his recommendation, we have launched an English language class at Giriama Village Lounge to help improve the children’s fluency and strengthen their English speaking skills.
English is the most widely spoken language globally, particularly in business, as well as in many educational institutions. Without a foundational understanding of English, our communities risk falling behind in an increasingly interconnected world. Many adults in our villages struggle with basic English proficiency and find it challenging to construct simple sentences, despite having attended school.
By teaching English to children in our villages, we empower them to develop their careers and ensure they remain informed and engaged with global advancements. This education will not only enhance their individual aspirations in life but also contributes to the overall progress of our communities.
The funds we receive for these classes are primarily allocated to cover the costs of books and pencils, electricity, and water for the children, as well as to provide a very small, modest compensation for the teachers.
Talking to the Students
Children's Vegan Lunch
Chefs: Toto Wanje, Rose, Stella Kabibi,
Every Saturday, all children participating in our culture and arts program receive a complimentary vegan lunch. This initiative is designed to nourish the children during the extended hours of our program. In addition to providing a vegan meal, we are educating them about the principles of veganism, promoting health, creativity, and community engagement.
We have also vegan cooking classes, allowing the children to actively participate in preparing simple, nutritious vegan meals. We film these cooking classes and share the videos on our social media platforms. The complimentary vegan meal we provide is specifically and only for all the village children participating in our workshops, programs and classes, and is currently available only on Saturdays. With additional funding, we would be able to extend this offering to more days throughout the week.
The funds we currently receive for this program are primarily allocated to cover rice, beans, spaghetti, lentils, vegetables, flour, cooking oil, gas and firewood for cooking, electricity and water costs, including a very small, modest compensation for the chefs who prepare the meals.
Vegan Cooking Classes, Culture and Arts
Sports & Athletics
Coaches: Ngala Mkatokili
Village sports and athletics play a crucial role in fostering community spirit, promoting physical health, and enhancing social cohesion. Engaging in sports provides an opportunity for individuals, particularly youth, to develop teamwork, discipline, and leadership skills. Additionally, athletic activities can serve as a platform for cultural expression, allowing villages to showcase their unique traditions and talents. By encouraging participation in sports, communities can create a positive environment that not only improves physical fitness but also strengthens bonds among villagers, ultimately contributing to the overall well-being of our communities.
Nyundo FC, named after our village area, is our local football team, officially sponsored by Giriama Village Lounge. With funds from the restaurant and from our generous donors, we initiated our first project, purchasing football jerseys and a few footballs for the team. Vegan Village Lounge has been printed on the jerseys, allowing us to promote veganism and animal rights during our football matches. We are also utilizing part of the funds to assist with transportation for the team to games within our town.
Several players have chosen to adopt a vegan lifestyle, whilst others are exploring its benefits. Unfortunately, many team members live in extreme poverty and lack basic equipment such as football shoes and training gear. This challenging reality is common among aspiring athletes in our villages; often, players from both our team and the opposing teams compete barefoot due to financial constraints.
To train more effectively and to enhance our competitive edge, we aim to develop Nyundo FC into a serious organization that nurtures the next generation of athletes whilst promoting veganism and animal rights in our communities. To achieve this, we urgently require additional resources, including football shoes, socks, more footballs, water bottles, cones, and training bibs.
One of our generous donors recommended that we establish a girls football team, a project we are now planning to implement. In our villages, girls have limited opportunities to participate in sports activities outside of school. In collaboration with the parents, we are committed to creating a Nyundo FC girls football team, providing them with the chance to engage in sports and develop their skills.
The funds we receive for Nyundo FC are primarily allocated to cover the costs of training gear, footballs, water for the players and transportation to games.
Nyundo FC, Senior Team
Water & Sanitation
Instructors: Stella Kabibi, Kenny Diaz, Toto Wanje
Water is a fundamental human right, yet it is scarce in our villages due to insufficient rainfall and inadequate government infrastructure to ensure access to water for all Kenyans. Most households, particularly mud huts, lack running water. Those who can afford it often rely on water tanks to store water, refilling them as needed. Meanwhile, many residents depend on rainwater or water sourced from nearby lakes, which are gradually drying up due to prolonged droughts and climate change. This situation underscores the urgent need for sustainable water solutions in our communities.
Our local schools do not provide water for students either, forcing children to carry their own water containers to school for drinking, sanitation, and toilet use. This water is not free and must be purchased from local water stations or collected from nearby lakes. Unfortunately, the water from the lakes is often contaminated, as local livestock herders bring their animals to drink from these sources.
Moreover, the local government water tanks remain empty year-round, as the officials responsible for supplying water to our villages and schools misappropriate funds for their personal gain, showing little regard for the needs of the villagers, schools, or children. This grim reality significantly impacts the lives of villagers, particularly the children and their hardworking mothers, who must carry water on their heads from distant lakes to meet their daily needs at home.
Children and Giriama Woman Collecting Water
Youtube & Social Media
Subscribe, like, follow, and share our posts on social media to stay updated with all of our initiatives. We regularly share videos of our projects, workshops, programs, and classes on YouTube. We also have a Giriama Village Lounge WhatsApp group, where donors and anyone involved in our projects are welcome to be a member.
This group allows members to track how their donations are being utilized and actively engage in discussions about our work. In the group, you can follow the progress of the projects, workshops, classes and programs you have supported, while also contributing insights, ideas, or even sharing your daily activities. Participation in the group is entirely voluntary, and its purpose is to foster a sense of unity and community among all members.
DONATIONS
$10 Dollars
Ten dollars is sufficient to purchase either ten school books, one hundred pencils, one hundred erasers, or ten pencil sharpeners. These items are provided free of charge to all children and students participating in our workshops programs and classes.
$50 Dollars
Fifty dollars is adequate to provide one free meal, for one hundred children during our Culture and Arts Day, held every Saturday. The vegan menu includes rice, spaghetti, beans or lentils, tomatoes, onions, and water to drink, covering two consecutive Saturdays.
$100 Dollars
One hundred dollars is sufficient to either fill three 5000 liter water tanks, purchase 120 water bottles, or 25 school bags, or purchase 16 children's school uniforms. These items are provided free of charge to all children and students participating in our programs and classes.
- We prioritize transparency and trust by ensuring our donors are actively engaged in our programs, allowing you to track how your contributions are utilized.
- We encourage you to share your email address with us to receive updates, correspondence, and information about our initiatives.
- Donating is a straightforward process. To proceed select the specific project, program, or class you wish to support and click the “Donate” button. You will be redirected to our PayPal account to complete your donation.
- Upon completion of your payment, you will receive a confirmation thank you message via PayPal acknowledging receipt of your donation.
- In the donation message, kindly specify how you would like your funds to be allocated so that we can direct them to your preferred project, program, or class.
- We invite you to share your email address with us so we can provide you with a link to our Village Lounge WhatsApp group. You are welcome to join and leave the group at your convenience.
- If you are not sure how to donate, feel free to contact us:
- Giriamalounge@gmail.com
- Live Chat Support, WhatsApp number +353894160756