Every day helpless children are forced to accept brutal abuse as a way of life. They are beaten, locked up, starved, tortured and sexually abused, oftentimes by their own caregivers or relatives. What happens to victims? Many are removed from their homes and placed in children’s shelters, places of safety and foster care. For these little ones, life has come to a dead-end almost before it has begun. Some of their lives may never be salvaged, but for many there is hope: JR-RFKC is all about creating happy memories for abused and neglected children, and you are invited to be a part of this exciting program of healing.

It is through intensely supportive interaction with our trained and screened adults that the first question; “Am I loved?” is answered. Our camps are sponsored and staffed by people from local churches. JR-RFKC is the leading network of camps for abused and neglected children in Africa. We have hundreds of volunteers, each camp achieving a ratio of one adult volunteer to every two campers, which allows for meaningful mentoring and individual care.

JR-RFK campers are provided with a wealth of activities to choose from that are designed to build self-esteem. Each camp has a host of support staff and even a Grandma and Grandpa to give hugs and words of approval. It is this model, which is duplicated and sponsored by local churches for the children of their local communities.

We offer a healthy dose of hope that...

• Your church chooses a school to adopt a positive experience with loving adult role models is possible—they can experience an “oasis”, a full week of relief, where they can feel deeply loved and cared for

• they can succeed, because they have done so at our camps – JR-RFK campers will discover their own self-worth and a feeling of success as they complete projects, have FUN, and meet new friends

• if the cycle of abuse can be broken for a week, it can be broken permanently

• The children

• Foster parents - who are given a week of much needed respite

• Citizens from the local community who give generously of their time

• Donors, who feel they can help solve a societal problem through giving of their personal resources

• Social workers, who get to send children from their case loads to a well organized, 5 day, sponsored camp

Following the first JR-RFKC camp held in 2002, ongoing testimonies from social workers, care-givers, school teachers, and the children themselves proves that the JR-RFK program works! Children have been known to show a marked improvement in attitude, school participation, and self-esteem.

• Consider becoming a counsellor for two children at a JR-RFK. A week of your time could literally change their lives.

• Become a JR-RFK donor partner. When you give to JR-RFKC you are giving a hopeless child a second chance! Your gift may be all it takes to provide happy memories and a bright new future to a hurting child.