Africa Letters and Stories
In 2002, Andrew and Leonora, already parents of five children did what so many families have been doing all across Africa - moved by the devastation that AIDS was having in their community, they opened their door to AIDS orphans.
In the ten years that have passed, Andrew and Leonora have taken in 10 boys and girls, despite the strain it has put on their limited means. "It was just out of the love and compassion I have for children," recalled Leonora.
By 2010, the Obaras knew they couldn't take in any more
children. But they also knew that there were still thousands of children in
Nairobi who desperately needed the safety and comfort of a loving home. So, they
formed a co-operative of families in Nairobi who would volunteer to take in
orphans.
Remembering her own childhood growing up in Nairobi - where school fees in her family were paid with proceeds from a small market stall that she started herself and was then a source of income for her mom - Leonora has led the charge for self-reliance. As soon as they were able, the cooperative started making microloans to help the member families establish small income generating enterprises. These early efforts were supported by the congregation at Runnymede United Church in Toronto.
The success of the original cooperative has since led to the establishment of the Kijiji Cha Upendo Project (Village of Love) so that they could expand their model of orphan care an support within a loving family environment while also supporting education and awareness programs within the Kibera slum community.
This latest chapter in the lives of Andrew and Leonora Obara is truly remarkable - that they would make such a personal commitment then also find the time to volunteer their time, energy and expertise to starting an NGO is an inspiration.
This new larger scale project is being supported through the volunteer fundraising efforts of Village of Love Canada, which has been spearheaded by individuals who were involved through Runnymede and operates under the CAP/AIDS umbrella.
CAP/AIDS is thrilled to be partnering with both Kijiji Cha Upendo and Village of Love Canada, providing technical support and advice to their work here in Canada and in Kenya as well as facilitating their efforts through use of CAP/AIDS infrastructure and staff resources.
This innovative three-way partnership has been featured by the Open Forum on CSO Effectiveness as an example of good practice in building effective and equitable partnerships: http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/istanbul-principles-a-preview-of,566.html
The Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness is a global process set up by and for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) worldwide. Its goal has been to create a shared framework of principles that defines effective CSO development practice and elaborates the minimum standards for an enabling environment for CSOs, while at the same time promoting civil society's essential role in the international development system. This has been realized in the Istanbul Principles for Development Effectiveness: http://www.cso-effectiveness.org/IMG/pdf/final_istanbul_cso_development_effectiveness_principles_footnote_december_2010-2.pdf
