At least 78 orphans at Munawar school in Tiwi in Kwale county are appealing for help from well-wishers to provide permanent solutions to the many challenges affecting them.
Munawar Orphanage School founder Mohammed Sudi Bindo said a majority of the students don't have learning materials, a factor that contributes to poor performance.
He said most of the children come from poor backgrounds and their guardians cannot afford to cater for their basic needs.
"The situation here is heartbreaking because a huge number of my students are struggling to get learning materials and some are unable to completely get them," he said.
Bindo said they used to get assistance from various people but the Covid-19 pandemic brought myriad of hardships that crippled the frequent assistance from well-wishers.
He said the school requires extra classrooms, dormitories and perimeter wall to provide a conducive learning and safe environment for the children.
Bindo said teachers, school committee and locals have taken the initiative of keeping night vigil to protect the children from harm since there is no fence or security to man the compound.
They currently have two dormitories accommodating 48 students.
The remaining needy students are forced to commute which affects their education.
The children are also exposed to malicious people and can easily be targets for rapists.
The region has continued to record fresh cases of teen pregnancies and defilements, poverty being one of the many reasons blamed for promoting the vice.
A section of parents are reported to have consented to teen marriages for cheap dowry as a way of alleviating poverty in the family.
Bindo said the lives of the children are at stake because the school risks closing due to lack of financial support.
He said they are unable to pay teachers, electricity and provide meals for the students who solely depend on the school feeding programme to survive.
"Another crisis we are facing is that of food. It is been several months since we got help and the previous stock has reduced," he said.
He said some teachers who volunteered hoping things will get better have quit and sought employment somewhere else.
Bindo said it is a major blow for the school as the remaining teachers are forced to work for long hours to assist the needy children.
About 98 per cent of orphanage schools in the county are privately owned and rely on donors for survival.
But many are incapable of sustaining the large number of children who are being admitted because of financial constraints.
Matuga parliamentary seat aspirant Hassan Fundi Chidzuga has urged both the national and county government to fund the orphanage schools and assist widows.
The region has many widows and orphans with Msambweni subcounty having over 200 widows and hundreds of orphans.
A large number live in pathetic conditions and cannot afford three meals a day.
Subaru Six Star Queens chairperson Risper Ngugi also backed Hassan, saying many orphans are suffering and need immediate assistance.
Ngugi spoke while distributing food rations.
The group also brought water tanks and a few learning materials to sustain the needy children.
