VILLAGE FOOD BANK

Food distribution program is a major component of VFBF’s operations. As above, we are currently assisting 210 or 15 per cent of the target needy households. The average cost of food items per household is $25 per month. A household may shelter three (3) or more persons. Program beneficiaries receive only the specific supplies of nutritious or dietary food items. No cash is advanced. The distribution is conducted by church group committees chaired by a Church Elder or Deacon. Student volunteer teams come in handy in special delivery cases where access to a beneficiary by road is limited. There are quite a number of isolated cases.

The estimated annual budget for this category is $312,000 . Apparently, the estimated annual cost as shown above is quite a challenge and lots of helping hands are needed. Please raise your hand.

The sick, the poor, disabled, and the elderly, etc. within the target populations are at risk. There is no welfare, health, Medicaid, or Medicare programs supported by the Kenyan government. The only available basic health insurance covers only 80 per cent for in-patient services and zero for out-patient services. Thus, families and individual must take care of their respective health issues. VFBF assists these populations with prescription and medical bills, off-the- counter pain-killer pills, prescriptions, x-rays, outpatient treatment, check-ups for the elderly, and so on. A minimal support of $50 and above would always somewhere within the list of needs. At least one per cent of the program beneficiaries have daily needs for medical and health services. Tropical diseases such as Asthma, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Flu, Blood Pressure (BP), Malaria, Malnutrition, Tuberculosis, Whoop-cough, etc. are chronic in target areas. Vaccinations are rare except for sudden contagious break-outs. The annual budget for this line item at the current level of operation is $7,800.

As a potential supporter, you can identify the category of the group you wish to assist on a monthly or annual basis. A $650 monthly funding would at a minimum, meet the applicable needs.

The scholarship fund is for the support of viable students aiming for higher education in high schools, vocational colleges, or universities. The minimum cost of maintaining a high school student in a boarding school for a year is roughly $950. Of late, students currently enrolled in aforementioned institutions have become aware of our supportive program and VFBF is receiving requests for financial assistance during the current school-year.

Perhaps this is an under estimation considering there are four area high schools 3-miles apart with enrollments of 450 each, day and boarding students or a total of 1,800 (450 x 4) students. An estimated 25 per cent or 450 (1,800 x .25) of the student population is from poor low-income family backgrounds. VFBF would love to support 90 of the 450 students or 20 per cent at an average cost of $950 per student, annually. The estimated long-term cost of the proposed support would amount to $85,500 (90 x $950) . Currently, VFBF is assisting seven students at an average cost of $950 per year or a total of $6,650 . The minimum cost of maintaining a high school student in a boarding school for a year is roughly $950. College and vocational education would be double this amount roughly; $1,900 annually per student. We intentionally estimate that 5 per cent of the graduating high schoolers would seek admission into colleges and vocational institutions and will need support to pursue their “one-time” academic dreams and so, we welcome well-wishers to sponsor a student or the overall program at will.

The health screening program involves camping in a village of 20-30 families once-a-week and screening the participants for blood pressure (BP) issues, general health challenges, dietary needs, medical side effects, or overused and defective medical apparatus. The team comprises of a voluntary Registered Nurse (RN) and two nursing assistants. The team is equipped with a blood pressure kit, thermometer, and an assortment of off-the-counter pills. Following exams, the team makes referrals to hospitals, clinics, or pharmacies. Currently, there is only one medical team. We need four (4) teams in order to operate once a month instead of once a week. The estimated cost of equipment, tools, transportation, and supplies per team is $500 . Thus, equipping 4 teams would aggregate $2,000 per month. As forethought, VFBF is considering sponsoring seven (7) additional teams to care for 7 area churches patronized by low-income worshipers. The move would require an additional $3,500 (7 x $500) of operating funds per year. Since the team members are volunteers, it is best to utilize the services to a minimum. Also, it is worth noting that the equipment and supplies would be useful for the whole year except for the related supplies that would be replenished monthly at half the monthly cost. We look forward to your helping-hand.

VFBF believes that economic devastations are not uniform worldwide. Thus, economics challenge levels in the far east differ from those in Africa. Our goal is to rehabilitate the target communities by encouraging and restoring people as they participate in the struggle to alleviate themselves from chains of poverty. The notion of economic development implies an ongoing gradual change that moves the participants closer to planed expectations and eventual outcomes. We plan to establish a revolving no-interest self-help private entrepreneurial support fund; of which the strategy would identify: 1) struggling low-income family- owned “Small Businesses” (on-going or new) in transportation and other make-shift micro-economic endeavors and; 2), offer partial financial support: The package should include; 3) short-term training in business management, budgeting, finance, marketing, and bookkeeping (a short-term course curriculum would be designed). The end result would most likely, equip the participants with the basic tools to minister to the economics and spiritual needs of their immediate family units. Note: Currently, such folks have no potential for applying and qualifying for bank loans. The so-called “Loan Sharks” have notably monopolized and dangerously exploited the innocence of the local poor populations by advancing loans that never get paid-off. The proposed funding will heal these wounds in the long-run and relationships with God, self, others, and self-esteem would be impacted.

We pray God will move you to give a helping-hand by providing $850 for a used motorcycle or $1,450 for a new one. Other small-scale businesses e.g., general mechanics, plumbers, salons, painters, etc. would require seed capital ranging from $1,650 - $1,850 each. We wish to flag-off at least 100 of these in the long-run when opportunities allow. Please join-in.

Programs

Nutritious Food distribution

Materials and Supplies

General Health and Medicines

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Hospitalization and burial assistance

Elderly and the handicap support

Academic/scholarship assistance

Health screening and off-the-counter medicines

Teenage hygiene assistance

Scripture distribution and fellowship

Small Business Entrepreneurship/Rehabilitation and Economic Development

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