KRCS Mombasa branch Welfare officer Rafik Rauf. [Photo/ Maxwell Ngala]
The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Mombasa branch has launched a programme to renovate orphanages in the county.KRCS Mombasa branch welfare officer Rafik Rauf said the programme which is funded by Orphan Aid Kenya aims at providing a good environment where orphans can feel loved.Speaking at Our lady of Mercy orphanage at Mikindani, Jomvu Constituency, Rafik said the programme will be conducted in various orphanages in the county.“Some of these orphanages in the county look like makeshift houses, a situation which does not give the orphans some sense of belonging,” said Rafik.He said orphans and the less fortunate families in Mombasa only receive help during the Holy month of Ramadan and during holidays such as Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adhah.“We need to share all days with orphans and ensure they live in a conducive environment and not just providing relief food during Christmas, Easter or other Islamic celebrations,” he said.The renovation exercise, which will be undertaken within two weeks, will involve cleaning the orphanages, repainting the walls and drawing pictures on the walls.On her part, the orphanage matron Fatuma Abeid said the 45 children housed at the Our lady of Mercy orphanage need humanitarian aid from well wishers.“It has been an uphill task to ensure that the angels get food and other humanitarian aid from well wishers but all in all we thank God,” said Fatuma.