Day 17: Focus on Giving, Leila de Bruyne
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The founders of Flying Kites, Leila de Bruyne, Justine Axelsson, and Toby Storie-Pugh, began their work in Kenya volunteering at orphanages located in the slums of Nairobi. Here, they began to think critically about options available to orphaned children. Most urban orphanages that surround Kenya’s capital are located in decrepit concrete buildings, housing more than 200 children, and lacking in amenities such as running water, plumbing, electricity, and furniture. The children that Leila, Justine, and Toby found themselves caring for in the slums suffered from communicable diseases and malnutrition, lacked access to basic education, and had no real life choices available to them.
Flying Kites was born out of the desire to affect lasting change in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children around the world. What began as a series of volunteer trips to Kenya has grown into an innovative non-profit organization dedicated to improving the standards of care and education available to poor children. Through our commitment to exemplary care and education, we help children reclaim their childhood and grow to reach their full potential.
03 MAY 2011