.JPG)
Restart Africa is an amazing story of helping those children and individuals in need at a time of crisis as outlined by Mary Coulson and Marvine Gaye. In 2007, a British teacher and a local resident, Mary Coulson was moved by the growing number of homeless children she saw on the streets of Gilgil, Kenya prompting her to develop a small shelter providing refuge for these desperately in need children. Abandoned, orphaned or driven out of their homes, these children were at acute risk of falling victim to hunger, violence, sexual abuse and drugs. When it first opened in a modest rented property the Restart Center gave shelter and refuge to six boys.
Eight years later and in smart new premises in Langalanga which is 4 km outside of Gilgil, the Restart Center now houses more than 100 children and provides them with a secure home, food, education, love and stability. "Think not what you are but what you can become" is the motto developed by Restart Africa. The kids are out when they are ready. It's only been 60 years since Kenya has been colonized. To be effective in Kenya, you have to have money. A minority of people in Kenya have made wealthy strides while many have not. Women are second class citizens to men in Kenya.
The objective is to rescue street children from a life of drugs, violence and prostitution. Between December 2007 and February 2008 Kenya suffered horrific post election violence. This resulted in over 1,000 killed and over 500,000 Kenyans displaced. They fled to Gilgil which wasn't much of a community six years ago.
Go to their website at www.restartafrica.org and see the results of their efforts. It gives examples of women sharing their horrors and their "children's" stories. Educate, feed them, cloth them and give them a life that they deserve. Marvine Gaye is the Programme Manager. Marvine discussed the Sanata Women's Group which produces wonderful belts, dog collars and beads to sell. Their work is amazing and so creative. After viewing the roses growing in a nearby town, these women now grow their own roses as well. There are over 800 species of plants with herbs made into 46 medicines with a wide range of health benefits.
Restart Africa is governed by the Sanata Charitable Trust in Kenya. You can help by reaching out to sponsorship@restartafrica.org
An amazing story of true grit and determination to succeed.