History

The Mother’s Union Orphan Program began in 2003 sponsored by the women of the Mother’s Union of the Diocese of Maseno North, Anglican Church of Kenya. It started in four parishes with no outside funding to assist needy and vulnerable children who had lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS or other diseases. Some of these orphans are cared for by relatives (often, the grandmothers) while some are in child headed households.

Growth

The program has now grown to 38 parishes with approximately 7,000 children being assisted weekly. Most of the current funding for the program comes from United States churches. These funds are designated specifically for the Saturday feeding and medical care of the orphans and guardians registered in the program.

Volunteers

This program is managed by a committee of three and is run totally by volunteers. Every Saturday, the children and sometimes their guardians receive supplementary instruction by teacher volunteers and a noon meal of tea, beans, rice and/or maize prepared by the Mother’s Union volunteers.

As well, two volunteers in each parish are health workers with medical kits to treat minor ailments. These kits are provided by Maseno Mission Hospital. A mobile medical team of volunteers from Maseno Mission Hospital visits five parishes on a rotating weekly basis to provide free medical care and medication to the orphans and guardians. Two additional parishes can visit the nearest mobile clinic. All seven parishes receive medical care free at Maseno Mission Hospital for the children and their guardians.

Photos

The Rt. Rev. Simon Oketch, Bishop of the Diocese of Maseno North, giving the Mother's Union a check for US$600.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dianne Smith, nurse and appointed missionary of the Episcopal Church, serving at Maseno Mission Hospital, with friends.

Read Dianne's blog here

Esiandumba Parish Orphan Program volunteers with their napier grass plot (cow food) to support the Saturday meals for the children.

Children receiving treatment for jiggers (their feet are infested and in a basin of medicine) from the Ekwanda Parish Orphan Program.

Children at the Esihoola Parish Orphan Program, which is where the original orphan program began in 2003.

Children from the orphan program at Ekwanda Parish are looking at their seed beds (nursery) and behind them is a field they have dug for the plants when they have germinated. They will also take some of the seeds home with them. They are learning how to raise food for themselves and their families and are digging plots around their homes.