Fruitful Rescue Centre is a home, school and refuge for orphans and other needy children in Kibera, Nairobi.
Our Beginning
Fruitful began in 2007 when founder ShoSho ("grandmother" in Kikuyu) began taking local orphans of Kenya’s post-election violence into her home. Kibera was particularly affected with many killed and others fleeing due to tribal tensions, leaving many children without parents or a home.
“Many mothers died in our community [in the post-election violence]. After I began taking the children in, the local chiefs would bring more every day.”
— SHOSHO, FOUNDER
Shosho at the left, Beatrice at the right, and child at Fruitful
Our work
As of April 2021, 25 children live at Fruitful full-time, aged between 8 months and 18 years old. New children who have been orphaned or abandoned continue to join regularly, often referred to ShoSho and Beatrice by local community leaders.
Fruitful also serves children in the wider community (including child-led families), providing daycare and a primary school, supporting children in high school, serving meals, and coordinating other activities like acrobatics. COVID-19 in particular has increased feeding and other needs in the community. Fruitful’s children represent diverse ethnic backgrounds – children from Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Meru, Nandi and other tribes all live together. Learn about our work →
~30
children living at Fruitful at any one time (>80 have been reunited with relatives)
150
being fed at Fruitful due to COVID-19 negative economic impacts
20
children in secondary school currently being supported by Fruitful
Get Involved
Fruitful operates on a small budget – its largest expenses are feeding the children and paying secondary school fees. You can support by:
Donating one-time or monthly to provide funds for food, health care, and educational expenses.
A donation of $50 covers the cost of food and water for 3 children for 1 month.Buying the beautiful handicrafts that ShoSho makes.
Volunteering in person.