Privileged residents of Mavoko Sub-county have been urged to support orphans and vulnerable children during this Christmas festive season.
Speaking in her office on Tuesday, Eunice Muthoni, Director of Rescue Souls Foundation, a community-based organisation in Athi River said there was need to support the needy children during Christmas as a way of giving them hope in life.
Muthoni argued it was not right for the ‘haves’ to only think of themselves and their nuclear families, as they have fun during Christmas without making impact on destitute in the society.
These sentiments were echoed by the organisation's programmes coordinator, Beatrice Brunker, who disclosed that the organisation had an intention of providing food stuff and entertaining needy children from Athi River prior to the Christmas Day.
Brunker, who lives in the US said it was important to care and support orphans and vulnerable children at their tender ages to nurture, mould and give them direction as they grow to adults.
"The risk of neglecting these children is that they will feel neglected and rejected hence be attempted to engage in illegal activities such as robberies, drugs and substance abuse either to earn their livelihoods or fit in groups where they could feel comfortable," said Brunker.
She said the organisation was prepared to support 300 children on the programme, which would see them have early Christmas during the festive season.
The programme officer revealed Rescue Souls Foundation was committed to ensure sustainability of the project as a way of giving back to the community and helping the government support needy children in Mavoko.
Brunker lauded the national government for recently launching OVC fund in Mavoko Subcounty where caretakers of more than 600 children were given Sh400 each for the months of July and August to support their upkeep.
The programme was welcomed by Mavoko Sub-county youth officer, Maurice Muia, who said it would help bring up responsible youth in the region.