Crossroads Springs Institute Children's School/Care Center for African Orphans of HIV/AIDS

Crossroads Springs Care Center - Mission, Vision and Strategy 

Mission
Crossroads Springs exists as an orphan care center to provide support to children orphaned by HIV/AIDS through networking alliances with other stakeholders, and equip children with skills to enable them to grow into self-reliant, responsible adults.

Vision
Our vision is to provide health, nutrition, careful handling, and good education to orphan children so that they become happy learners, develop skills to support themselves and help others; and become a source of economic and leadership strength for Kenya.  “Save the child, Heal the nation!” is the motto.

Strategy Statement

Statement of Intent: The overall aim of the Crossroads Springs orphan support program will be to help the community assist their orphans through: 1) outreach to extended families and guardians who are caring for orphans, 2) through residential care for destitute young orphans, and 3) through Early Childhood Development and Primary Education classes for boarding and day students.  Children will grow in feelings of self-worth and become self-reliant.

Goals and Objectives: 

1)     Welfare - Crossroads Springs staff will be in touch with orphans in need in the community to assist guardians and enroll the neediest orphans who have no other options for care.  The objective of housing some boys and girls in dorms  has been achieved.  It is a goal to be able to assist orphan children living with relatives, host parents, and family head children.

2)     Health - Children at the care center will be provided nutritious food . Health education and advice will be provided for young people and families.  Access to the local clinic for basic community health care services will be provided. Teachers or other staff will be encouraged to provide counsel to villagers and orphan children in sex education, particularly in the avoidance and treatment of HIV/AIDS.

3)     Education - Crossroads Springs will provide Early Childhood and Primary education, with qualified teachers and a feeding program.  Children will be encouraged to go on to secondary schools.  Vocational education is envisioned to train school dropouts, school leavers, and head children.  Employment skills in areas such as farming, computers, and  business entrepreneurship are possible areas of training to give young people economic power to face life’s challenges.  Carpentry and typing skills may bring income to the care center to provide for young orphans coming into the program.

4)     Community Support - It is hoped that the community will assist the staff of Crossroads Springs in providing for the children through food production and other means.  Providing it is in cooperation with the wishes of the community, projects may be developed with groups outside Hamisi in such things as water supply and farming.  From time to time, volunteer partners may hope to return to join hands as needed. Crossroads Springs staff will work closely with government officials in Education, Health, Social Services, and local administration for the benefit of orphan children of the community.