USAID-Funding stopped – What now!?
The sudden funding stop has forced us to cancel nearly all our programs in Kisumu and threatens the lives of thousands of children living with HIV — with these four life-saving projects we can continue making an impact — Yet we urgently need your support.
Through our collaboration with USAID since 2012, Make Me Smile has supported over 100.000 vulnerable children, women and their caregivers affected by or at high risk of contracting HIV.
A team of 100 employees and 900 community volunteers have been on the frontline of supporting these communities with programs focusing on prevention of HIV- and gender-based violence, awareness for sexual and reproductive health, providing access to education and vocational training and economic empowerment.
In an instant, a lifeline was cut. Due to sudden eradication of all U.S. aid funding, the majority of our staff and community volunteers lost their jobs while many communities remain without crucial and life saving support.
We refuse to abandon our projects and the people in need just because the President of the United States has chosen not to support fundamental human rights.
We are committed to doing everything in our power to continue helping those who rely on us.
We cannot do it alone. We need your Help!
Partner with us to sustain life-saving programs.
We have identified these four essential programs to continue supporting 254 most vulnerable children and adolescents living with HIV in our project region.
1) Medical care & transportation for children and young people living with HIV
With €15, eight children and adolescents living with HIV receive a month of essential medical care, transport to distant health facilities, and follow-ups to monitor medication intake. Your contribution ensures life-saving treatment, allowing these children to lead healthier, happier lives.
→ Fundraising goal: €5,700 – Provide support to 254 children living with HIV for one year.
2) Legal advice for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)
With €22, you can fund one legal advisor for a full week, accompanying survivors to the police, local administration, medical facilities and courts, supporting them to receive justice and understand their rights. This crucial support empowers individuals to stand up to their perpetrators and contributes to reducing violence, teenage pregnancies, and new HIV infections in affected communities.
→ Fundraising goal: €12,300 – Support 11 legal advisors in 11 communities for one year.
3) Education for children
With a donation of €88, you can cover the school fees for a whole year. Your support will enable 320 particularly vulnerable children and young people with HIV to continue their education and build a better future.
→ Donation target: € 28,200 – Help 320 children and young people with HIV to go to school for a year.
4) Secure jobs for our team in Kenya
With a donation of €288, you cover the lost co-funding for one team member`s average salary for one month – be it in management, project coordination or direct support on site. Without our dedicated team, our work in Kisumu would not be possible.
→ Donation target: € 11,250 – Secure jobs for our team in the next three transition months.
Your donation will ensure that 12 years of work will not be lost overnight and thousands of people will not be deprived of their basic human rights.
Together we can make sure that everyone gets the support they need!
With your help, lives will be changed. Please donate now to secure these vital services in the coming months. Your contribution is more than a donation – it’s a lifeline.
P.S. Every euro makes a difference. Please share this message with others who can help continue this essential support.
Austria
For donations from Austria, please use the following QR code with your banking app or the following link.
Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg
For donations from Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg and other countries, please donate via the following link.
