About KaCWSI

Our Name

The name “KeepAChildWarm” best explains our project rationale since our goal was pretty basic at inception. The low temperate climate motivated us to swing to action; providing physical warmth to less privileged children.

For the second part of the name “Support”, there are a number of terms that describe support but for us, financial or other help is most pertinent. The overwhelming response we got for our debut outreach and subsequent one prompted us to recall the core of our campaign: providing support to OVCs in a way we deem necessary.

Lastly, we chose “Initiative” because it means “an introductory act or step; leading action”; and “the power or ability to begin or to follow through energetically with a plan or task with determination”. Initiative
describes beautifully the idea of this organization, which is to initiate action on behalf of OVCs right now around their physical and psychosocial health, so that they will be nurtured by a sense of care.

Our Story

An alarming number of children in Plateau State have been orphaned, rendered homeless and displaced as a result of several violent conflicts that have engulfed the state since 2001. This has triggered physical trauma and negative effects on their psychological state. Thankfully, orphanages and IDP Camps have opened their doors to these children, keeping them in a secure environment and responding to their needs despite the enormous challenges such as food, shelter, water and overstretched facilities.

KaCWSI’s founder, Yilchit Barde – a child support advocate who believes in the mandate on adults to protect children from violence, abuse and neglect – became very drawn to the plight of these children living in unfortunate conditions after a number of visits to orphanages and IDP camps (a valentine’s day family ritual).
Her passion for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) soon left a growing burden on her to step in and mitigate the challenge of unhealthy living by identifying the immediate peculiar needs of OVCs within the ages of 0-15yrs and to systematically address this in form of relief through an intervention.

Fervent conversations with like minds followed and by September 2016, Yilchit, along with 4 other friends, volunteered to start the #KeepAChildWarm Campaign. The campaign served as a fundraiser where resources were garnered from the public and indigenous business owners to cover the cost of warm clothing and cooking fuels for hot baths to OVCs during the chilly Harmattan season.

The campaign received a positive response from the public and the charity outreach soon became an annual routine. After two years of huge success and an increase in the number of volunteers, the #KeepAChildWarm Campaign metamorphosed into a charity organization.

The KeepAChildWarm Support Initiative (KaCSWI) was born and officially registered as an Incorporated Trustee with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission on May 3rd, 2018 with registration number CA/IT/NO 110639, as a special interest non-profit organization that solely exists to raise funds to cater for the immediate physical and psychosocial needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).

We cater for the immediate physical and psychosocial needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs).

As an organization, we desire to re-awaken a sense of hope in the lives of less privileged children by responding to their immediate physical and psychological needs in aid of their recovery.

The Goal

As an organization, we desire to re-awaken a sense of hope in the lives of less privileged children by responding to their immediate physical and psychological needs in aid of their recovery.
Our project helps to provide:
• Physical warmth
• Emotional warmth (through fun events and Care Giver training to ensure the children’s psycho-social well-being)
• Economic empowerment support through skill acquisition training

Our Vision

To extend sustainable impact to the lives of vulnerable Nigerian children within the ages of 0-15 years and replicating our efforts in all 6 geo-political zones of the country.