Bondeni Children Rescue Centre on Sunday held the first ever charity road race in Mavoko to create awareness on children rights.
Speaking to the press during the event at Kenya Meat Commission grounds in Athi River, the centre's director, Florence Gitau, said the 10 Kilometers race dubbed, "Athi River Charity Road Race," was solemnly a run for the child.
"This run for the child race is intended to create awareness on the need for the community to advocate for child rights and protection. It is also meant for raising funds for sustainability of the home," said Gitau.
Gitau said the event attracted over 250 participants who included children, youth and women who had registered for the race as individuals and corporates.
She said the home had rescued over 50 orphans and vulnerable children from streets of towns within Machakos, Kitui and Makueni counties who are now fully supported by the home.
"We have rescued more than 50 children from most towns within Machakos, Makueni and Kitui Counties and were are still scouting for more," said Gitau.
Gitau said the needy children were fully supported by the home since they live at its premises while attending a private school within Athi River town.
She regretted the cases of children rights violation in the region and stressed that concerted efforts are needed to ensure children are protected from such oppression.
Gitau said poverty in Mavoko was a major contributor to infringement of child rights saying most families especially living in the slums cannot effectively provide basic needs to the children, a situation that has seen several of them drop out of school for either child labor or prostitution to earn livelihoods.
She said the centre is focused towards rescuing over 100 needy children by the end of 2015 and called on well-wishers to support the home.
Mavoko CDF Chairman Michael Mulei, said his office had donated Sh50,000 to the rescue centre for the children's up keep.
Mulei said the CDF had been supporting charitable initiatives in the constituency through donations of food, clothing, and school fee bursaries.
He said the fund will continue supporting all needy children from the constituency.
“Those who excel in KCSE examinations as from this year will be fully sponsored by the Makau Foundation till they complete their university education,” he said.
Dorcas Wasulwa, a medical data performance officer at the East African Portland Cement Company, who flagged off the race, condemned child molestation and child labour that she said was rampant in the region.
“There is need for more support to children homes and organizations which are committed to ensuring that rights of children are protected in the community,” she said.
The race was supported by a number of organisations including Athletics Kenya, Tinap Services Centre, East African Portland Cement and the Kenya Meat Commission.