PROJECT IN FOCUS:

Isiolo is small town in Northern Kenya that has one of the highest incidences of HIV in Africa. It is also one of the poorest and most marginalized. In Isiolo there are thousands of children whose parents have died from AIDS. Many of these children have been abandoned by their relatives, communities and government due to ignorance and poor education. The older (11+) children are at extreme risk. It is proposed to establish a quality boarding school for 100 of these older children that will create a safe, supportive and healthy environment in which to live and to give them the education they need to be able to earn a living so that they are able to look after their siblings/families and be successful in their lives. The land, management, clinic and educators are in place. Kadija, a women who has lost all seven brothers to the virus runs the project in Isiolo, whilst caring for her brothers children.

Over time Kadija's self help group has focused primarily on people left alone or abandoned as a result of their HIV status particularly women with AIDS and their orphaned children. The range of services she provides has increased asWOHA has been extremely successful. It is estimated that 7,000 families living with HIV/AIDS in the area are being helped by WOHA. Currently she is providing nutritionally balanced supplementary food (Unimix) provided by UNICEF to 1,179 families in special need of extra nutrition who are receiving treatment at the clinic. The clinic has increased the number of patients it sees each month from just 40 per day in 2003 to 140 per day in 2006. It now sees more people with AIDS than the local hospital. The small school that started in 2000 now has 300 pupils.

Long term sustainability

The cost of sustaining this project for the year will be approximately £50,000. This would provide long-term care of sending 96 children to senior primary school and also feeding their families at home. This is a cost of £550 per child and their family per year. It is believed that in the long term, a sustainable funding plan based on individuals "adopting" or sponsoring one of these orphans and their families for £550 a year would be possible. Contact can be maintained through letters/photographs and gifts that each sponsor is willing to provide.

Without your help, these people have little chance of achieving any of their dreams of becoming doctors and teachers. An education and schooling often means that these people won't end up on the streets or in the army. They will be protected from the corruption and be able to help themselves out of the situation that Africa has found itself in for the past 20 years, but the hope has to come from within, and this is where you come in. Every penny you give will be personally taken to Isiolo and spent on education, equipment and support. THERE IS NO "MIDDLE MAN".