A young life saved, community farming, and big strides in education: Reflecting on a month of charity in rural Kenya
The Footprints Family charity, based in rural Kenya, has been making giant strides in their efforts to uplift the quality of life among residents.
Kerry Watson, the charity’s CEO, reflects on some of the key highlights during her visit to the village.
The charity has been able to treat Husna, a critically ill young girl living with HIV. She was severely malnourished,weak, withdrawn, and anaemic with dangerously low immunity.
But with round-the-clock medical care, nutritional support, and emotional nurturing from the Footprints team, Husna’s transformation has been nothing short of miraculous.
Her CD4 count is improving, she’s gained weight, and for the first time in months, she is smiling and laughing with other children.
Speaking to Kerry (commonly known as Mama Kerry), Hasna said: “Najiweza tena (I feel strong again).”
The charity also launched the Community Farming Empowerment Initiative, aimed at helping sponsored children’s families living in extreme poverty become more food secure and self-sustaining.
Too many of the households Footprints support live hand-to-mouth, relying on seasonal labour, small scale charcoal burning, or the reliance of food packages.
To address this, Footprints empowerment community programs will provide
• Seed and fertilizer packages for staple crops
• A brand-new jembe (hoe) per household
• Training on small plot farming, composting, and drought resilience
By supporting families to grow their own food — maize, beans, cassava, and green vegetables — the charity aim to increase household nutrition, reduce hunger-related school absenteeism, and encourage long-term self-reliance.
Mama Ndaro, one of the beneficiaries said: “We used to borrow tools. Now we can plant for our children ourselves.”
The initiative comes at a time where climate change, rising food prices, and poor soil management continue to strain rural families in Kenya.
Meanwhile, their education programme continues to grow. Children who have never attended school and once struggled with basic literacy are now reading aloud with confidence.
Others have discovered new talents in storytelling, music, and creative arts.
Kerry Watson said: “None of this is possible without the generous support of our community — especially our friends and partners in the UK and through the Burton & District Chamber of Commerce.
“Your belief in our mission helps children like Husna survive — and gives families like Mama Ndaro the tools to thrive.
“We invite individuals, companies, and schools to partner with us in creating lasting change — whether by sponsoring a child, donating seeds or tools, or visiting us in Kenya.”
