MAAI MAHIU, KENYA

Maai Mahiu, Kenya, is a truck-stop town located on the Trans-African highway that spans from Lagos, Nigeria, in West Africa to Mombasa, Kenya, in East Africa. The semi-arid region around Maai Mahiu has no major sustainable industry presently, with a majority of local commerce carried out through small roadside businesses that cater to long haul truckers and other drivers passing on the highway. Prostitution, drugs, cheap alcohol, pornography, and inexpensive lodging make Maai Mahiu a popular overnight stop for  weary truckers.  Poverty is stifling and malnutrition is common for local people, especially since a lack of consistent rain prevents optimal crop yields in the area. The transient male population, AIDS and other diseases, and family violence leave children homeless, hungry, and orphaned.

basics

Our water comes from two sources: a 7.5 mile-long spring-fed line from two separate intakes in the mountains (40,000 L/day) and a rainwater catchment system. Drinking water at Naomi’s Village is triple filtered to make it safe for consumption. Hot showers and flush toilets maintain proper hygiene and sanitation. 3-phase electricity and a backup generator provide power consistently. The facility is protected by an electric fence, security alarms, night watchmen, dogs, and CCTV cameras. Satellite TV and internet on site help give the children a broader view of the world.

food

Both fruit and vegetables are grown on site for consumption by the children. A drip irrigation greenhouse added in 2013 currently grows tomatoes for use at Naomi’s Village and to sell to the community as an economic sustainability measure for the home. An aerobic septic system produces treated water from the facility, which is used to irrigate the fields and fruit trees via underground pipes.

other facilities

We added a guesthouse with 29-person capacity in 2013.  Click for more information

Our 3-year-old LEAP Preschool building shares a roof with a game room for older children at Naomi’s Village.  In 2019, we built a 4-year-old LEAP classroom building with bathrooms, plus a large playground nearby.

In 2012, we bought a 1/3- acre parcel of land adjoining the main home plot.  Twin 4300 sq. ft. teen houses were constructed in 2017-18, each able to hold 20 teens and 2 caregivers.

COME AND SPEND TIME WITH US... VOLUNTEER

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