Help Gavi Uplift Mukuru's Children with VICCO

Charissa Cheah is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi, my name is Gavi. As you may know, I will turn 13 and have a Bar Mitzvah in June 2025. I want to use this opportunity to help others, specifically a community in Nairobi, Kenya, called the Mukuru Slums. The children and families lack clean water, a consistent source of food, and safety. Fortunately, an organization in the community called VICCO is there to help.

VICCO stands for Viwandani Comprehensive Community Organization. They do so much to help their community, from teaching children about mental health to helping young mothers learn about proper infant nutrition. VICCO also has a breakfast initiative for kids, so they can go to school with a full belly and be ready to learn. Another initiative that I really think is important is that they have organized a small library that is a safe space for children in challenging home life situations to go to for a warm snack and to do their homework after school.

VICCO has also developed a Community Garden, where people can learn how to grow and cook fresh produce.

I started my journey with a book we read in school called, "A Long Walk to Water" by Linda Sue Park. The book tells the true story of a boy named Salva Dut and a fictional girl named Nya. In the book, Nya has to walk eight hours daily to bring back unsanitary water from a pond. Although I had also learned about climate change issues through another project on producing clean energy, I took water for granted before I read the book. After reading the book, I was struck with how dire this water crisis was for the everyday lives of people around the world. I began scouring for organizations that dug wells and provided clean water to communities all over the world. My parents also helped, and we were connected to VICCO. Although VICCO also helped young families get access to sanitary water, they offered so much more. For example, they provide education, food, mental health and cultural learning, and athletics. The VICCO team members are like superheroes, uplifting their community and helping the citizens.

To become more informed and involved, I have been meeting with Mr. Shakur Njeru, Founder and team leader at VICCO, to learn about their work and how we can create a meaningful partnership. I am also meeting with the children in the community virtually to get to know them.

The community organization I am asking you to support is making a huge difference and needs our help. Every cent you donate goes straight to funding across many of VICCO's initiatives. You could be giving a child breakfast, providing them a place to study, celebrating their birthday, or helping them learn how to grow their own food. Your donations are benefiting the Mukuru community in some impactful way today and into the future.

I will update this site to share information about their ongoing work. My parents will cover the transfer costs and send your generous donations directly to Mr. Njeru.

We are all citizens of this Earth and need to care about each other. I would be grateful for your support through my GoFundMe campaign! Thank you.

Gavi W.

Here are some more pictures from VICCO's work: