Our trip to the Upendo Children’s Village in early November 2025
After ten intense days, our team has returned from Ukunda – with many impressions, new tasks, and important progress under their belts. Since the children are currently on their summer vacation, we received a particularly warm welcome upon our arrival and found the village full of life.
Initial assessment – where action is currently needed
Shortly after our arrival, it became clear that there is a lot to do. The most important points from the current situation:
- New sewage pipes need to be laid in front of the main house, as the old ones have been damaged by roots.
- The roof of the main house is only secured with plastic sheeting and needs to be completely replaced.
- A bicycle that was repaired last year is broken again, and one of our cars has transmission damage.
- Old building materials and construction waste needed to be disposed of urgently.
After a comprehensive inspection, we prioritized and distributed the tasks—and immediately initiated the first measures.
What we were able to accomplish on site
In the following days, many issues were successfully addressed or already completed:
- Quotes for roof renovation were obtained and negotiated.
- The main gate was repaired by a locksmith.
- The property wall was measured with a view to raising it for safety reasons.
- A utility line plan was drawn up and two dilapidated buildings were demolished.
- We also conducted a fire drill and tested the entire fire extinguishing system.
The annual Board of Trustees meeting also took place, with important discussions on child development, staffing, budget planning, and strategic steps for the coming year.
Shared experiences – and lots of fun for the children
A special highlight was the trip with all the children to the Kijani swimming pool: a day full of laughter, splashing, chicken, fries, and lemonade – an unforgettable holiday experience for many.
A lot was also achieved together in the village:
- David, one of our older boys, who is now training to be a car mechanic, checked and repaired the transmission of our car.
- The broken bicycle got a new chain.
- The construction debris was cleared away step by step together with the children and staff.
Halloween, fire extinguisher test, and energetic help
Halloween was just around the corner before we left, and since pumpkins are hard to come by in Kenya, the children quickly carved creative faces into watermelons. At the same time, we conducted our annual fire extinguisher test: roll out the hoses, start the pump, check the pressure. It was great fun for the children – and a challenge for some outfits.
On Saturday, everyone pitched in once again: children, employees, and even Andreas and Maik, who had landed just a few hours earlier, helped dispose of the remaining construction debris.
Finally, there was a surprise: a new (used) bicycle for the village. The old one was beyond repair – so everyone was all the more delighted when they were allowed to take it for a spin.
There is still a lot to do – but thanks to the dedicated support of our exchange teams and local employees, we are making progress step by step.
A heartfelt thank you
We look back on a fulfilling time – full of encounters, progress, and shared moments with the children. Our thanks go to everyone who supports Upendo with their knowledge, time, and energy.
Asante sana – see you next time!
