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Mombasa, October 25, 2008

First Lady Lucy Kibaki chats with children of Wema rescue centre for street children when she visited the facility at Ganjoni, Mombasa.

The First Lady Lucy Kibaki has today appealed to private companies and wealthy Kenyans to help destitute children to fulfill their ambitions through generous donations to institutions that care for them.

The First Lady made the remarks today while on a tour of Wema Rescue Centre where she visited orphans and other destitute children being catered for by the Centre.

Mrs. Kibaki said, "Rich members of the society should support rescue centres like Wema that provide care to disadvantaged children. Children have ambitions and potential and all they require is support and guidance."

The First Lady also noted that the Government created the Ministry of Gender and Children to lead the war against child abuse and explore new ways in the management of child welfare.

Mrs. Kibaki said that the Government has a responsibility to protect its children from molestation and drug abuse due to their vulnerability adding that children are the future of any society.

She said, "There will be change in management children affairs in the very near future."

Mrs. Kibaki noted that children issues are complex but expressed confidence that the present minister for Gender and Children was equal to the task and promised that the country will witness new measures in tackling children matters.

The First Lady urged the children enrolled in the centre not to sneak back into the streets so that they can benefit from the collaborated support given to them in vital social amenities like education, food and medical care.

"I advise you to remain here so that you can develop your talents and pursue professional careers like piloting, medicine and others in future," Mrs. Kibaki told the little children.

The First Lady told Coast Provincial Commissioner, Ernest Munyi to assist the Centre in securing a temporary shelter to ensure that as many street children as possible are retained once rescued.

Addressing the same occasion the Executive Director of Wema Centre, Lucy Yinda noted that provision of shelter to thousands of destitute children remains the key challenge of her institution.

With regard to food, Mrs. Yinda said that the high prices of food has strained the capacity of the centre in feeding the children and appealed to donors for support.

The First Lady on Friday night presided over a fundraising gala dinner that netted Kshs 7.1 million in support of the Centre.

Present during the occasion were Coast Provincial Commissioner Mr. Ernest Munyi and other senior public and private sector officials.