SCANN was the brainchild of the Gilani family, successful entrepreneurs in Nakuru, Kenya and involved in various charitable initiatives, and Mr. Murtaza Janmohammad, an optician by profession and then Chairman of the Rotary Club of Nakuru. For years they were disheartened over the increasing presence and the sad conditions of young impoverished children that hung around town, panhandling or raiding garbage cans for a bite to eat. Majority of the children slept out in the cold without any shelter. They decided, with the help of a number of established Charitable and reputable organizations, to establish a soup kitchen and an emergency shelter for homeless children.
Despite its meagre beginnings, the SCANN Rehabilation Centre has over the last few years become one of the most active and effective charitable organizations in Kenya. The Centre is currently housed in a five acre lot and now comprises three dormitories, four classrooms, a dining room, staff housing and a library.
The center has sufficient facilities to house up to 200 children and currently has 140 residents ranging in age from 3 to 17 years. A substantial portion of the land is made available for cultivation.The children are taught and encouraged to plant fruits and vegetables for their own consumption.
The children receive food, shelter, clothing, medical services and education. In addition children are encouraged to participate in activities such as acrobatics, karate, soccer, dancing, music and writing and recitation of poetry.
Of the 140 residents, 80 attend government primary schools, 9 attend secondary schools and 4 are enrolled in techno-vocational courses. The balance are either new to the Centre or are too young to attend formal schooling. Instead they attend classes at the center and will attend formal schooling once they are sufficiently rehabilitated and sufficient finances become available.
To-date, 9 older boys have been rehabilitated and have completed their techno-vocational courses. SCANN is proud to have found them gainful employment in the private sector. These boys now live independently as productive members of the society.
Criteria:
Our research indicates that there are numerous orphans and destitute children on the streets. A number of these are runaways or are children whose parents do not want them or cannot afford to look after them. Our priorities are to identify children who do not have a home or a family and suffer all day and night existing on the streets.
The administration and Trustees make regular forays into the streets, generally at night, to identify street children that have no homes. The children are taken to SCANN and in the days following, case histories are compiled and then presented to the District Children’s Officer who further investigates and then forwards to a Magistrate, who grants SCANN the official guardianship of these children. When any of the children are found to have family members capable of looking after them, the Centre acts as a go between the parties and opens dialogue with the family members for the purpose of convincing them to live up to their obligations.
Costs:
The cost of maintaining a child at the center and providing food, shelter, clothing, education and extra curricular activities is K Shs 15,000 (US$ 200) per year. This equates to KShs 1,250 (US$ 17) per month. For such a minuscule amount a destitute child can receive 24 hour care, shelter, food, clothing, education, medical care and an opportunity to become a full fledged contributing member of society.
There are no administration costs involved except for the ancillary staff and utilities. The 5 acre property is owned by one of the Trustee organizations. The rest of the Trustees provide their services on a honorary basis. Every cent that is received from donors is therefore utilised for the benefit of the children.
The accounts are audited by a firm of Public Certified Accountants on a regular basis and are available for inspection upon request.
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