One “regular” kid CAN make a difference around the world.

The images on the television screen shook her 5th grade reality. As Kendall sat watching an Oprah Winfrey Show highlighting the plight of African AIDS orphans, she began to imagine herself, 11-year-old Kendall Ciesemier, alone, living in a mud hut, caring for her younger siblings and grieving the death of my parents. Having experienced struggle in her own life, their pain resonated with Kendall and she was in awe of what appeared to be their unwavering hope.

That night, she knew she had seen the opportunity she was waiting for—her chance to give her life more purpose than the chronic liver disease she had grown up fighting against.

Online after the show, she found World Visions’s orphan sponsorship program where she met Benite, an 8-year-old girl from Mauritania who needed her help. Months after sponsoring Benite with $360 of her own money, Kendall received a letter from her about starting school for the first time. Witnessing the newfound hope in her life led her to believe that with a little help, she could change many more lives.

That summer, as she underwent two liver transplants, she asked that in lieu of gifts, friends and family donate money to help more children like Benite. With their generosity Kendall sponsored the village of Musele, Zambia. By the end of the summer, she had raised over $15,000 as kids from across the country, hearing of her effort, started their own fundraisers. As a result of this snowball effect, Kendall decided to officially organize the effort, calling it “Kids Caring 4 Kids." In January of 2005, Kids Caring 4 Kids (KC4K) officially became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Kids Caring 4 Kids has drawn the attention of national television broadcasts (including The Oprah Winfrey Show), major metropolitan newspapers and newscasts, and even former U.S. President Bill Clinton. 

With a twofold focus of raising funds for kids in Africa and growing generous hearts and global vision among kids, Kids Caring 4 Kids and its growing army of young activists are on track to raise $1 million to help vulnerable children in need.

The funds we raise will go to support trustworthy charitable organizations and individuals with proven programs to help kids and their communities who have been impacted by the AIDS pandemic. Check our out latest projects and see how you can get involved!