It is really hard to adequately describe how much richer developed nations like the U.S. are than developing ones like Kenya. In our project area, socioeconomic and demographic factors create needs for children different than what we experience in most areas of the United States.

• At least 20% of the school-aged children have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS and other diseases. When the Umoja Project started, it was reported that up to 50% of the student population were orphans.  
• Most of the families we serve are involved in subsistence farming, which can be severely impacted by weather and environmental conditions such as drought, flooding, locusts and other infestations.
• The average income is $1.50 USD a day, earned by doing “casual jobs” that are not continuous employment: digging a garden, helping harvest, breaking rocks for gravel, digging sand. Families often struggle to obtain basic necessities.
• Access to education up to secondary school (what we call high school in the US)  is just now becoming a goal of the Kenyan government; however, many children are unable to continue their education past primary school because they must help earn so that the family members can eat. 
• Access to healthcare is rising in importance in Kenya; however, our students and their families have limited ability to access proper healthcare.
• Kenyans have access to health care and education systems that are far inferior to those enjoyed by developed nations. 

Kenya Statistics: WHO Accessed June 22, 2020