Dr. Mumbi Mwangi (Ph.D)
On July 7th 2006, while on a fact finding mission to Kenya on behalf of NGATHA International, a US based International Not-for-Profit organization registered in the State of Minnesota, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with several women groups about their community self-help development projects in Ndaragwa division, Nyahururu, Kenya. Due to the fact that this area is part of Kenya’s Semi-Arid region, frequent draught and famine conditions have immensely exacerbated poverty in many families. Despite the deplorable status and harsh economic conditions, women in Ndaragwa have organized and initiated various self-help community based projects to improve their lives and those of their children. However, their efforts are greatly hampered by lack of material and financial resources.
One thing that touched me the most is the plight of orphans in the area. Poverty, compounded by the impact of HIV/Aids pandemic has contributed to a high number of orphans. When famine strikes orphans are the most affected. And, because such children are always at the mercies of the already impoverished community for provision, their schooling and livelihoods are adversely affected. It is heartbreaking to see women who are already overly burdened by their family responsibilities taking up and extending their mothering and care-giving roles and responsibilities to the orphans thus stretching even thinner their meager resources.
In line with the forgoing, in a letter dated 8/10/06, NGATHA International was authorized by the Government of Kenya through the Children’s Department in the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage to start an orphanage in Ngamini village, Ndaragwa division. The main objective is to give the most needy and at-risk-orphans a home-like environment that will cater to their total well-being. The care of millions of orphans has become one of the greatest challenges facing many of the African countries including Kenya. In the past the burden was often assumed by the extended family but unfortunately many people are experiencing severe pressure from poor economy. My family offered to lease to NGATHA International our 100 acre farm and a farm-house located at Ngamini to be converted into an orphanage with immediate effect. The spacious farm-house has the capacity to initially accommodate up to 120 orphans with a potential for expansion.
As a result, NGATHA International Children’s Home opened its doors to 60 (Sixty) needy children in January 2007 and is currently taking care of their daily upkeep, including food, clothing, health and counseling. We also started a school providing primary education from Kindergarten to 6th grade.
Because of the enormity of the project and the urgency of the need to help these orphans we need your help to raise the much needed funds to run the orphanage.
Please consider this letter not only as an introduction to NGATHA International but also an invitation to you, your organization, your church community, business communities, or individuals to partner with us in our efforts to reach out to the needy children and community in Nyahururu, Kenya.
A monthly donation of $10 dollars will help support one day school child for a month.
A monthly (or one time) donation of $36.00 dollars will help support one resident orphan for a month.
A monthly donation of $50 dollars will help pay one month’s salary for a supporting staff.
A monthly (or one time) donation of $100 dollars will help pay one teacher’s salary.
A monthly or one-time donation of any amount will go a long way to meet the monthly expenses of running the orphanage and making a difference in the lives of these needy children.
Thanking you in advance for your favorable consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Mumbi Mwangi (Ph.D)
President/CEO – NGATHA International
Professor in the Women’s Studies Program
St Cloud State University