Most Recent Updates
From Kisumu & Nandi County, Kenya
September 2024
🌍Building Brighter Futures with KEDHAP🌍
“We are no longer just beneficiaries; we are change-makers in our community.” – Eunice, a widow and a member of the Border B Women group
We’re thrilled to share our latest report highlighting the incredible progress made in education, healthcare, female empowerment, peacebuilding, and food security. From increased school enrollments to empowering women with life-changing skills, KEDHAP is making a real impact in the lives of vulnerable communities. But there’s still so much more to be done!
Dive into the full report to see the difference we’re making together and learn how you can help keep these vital programs thriving. Every contribution counts! 🙌
📖 Read the full report here.
August 2024: Healing Through Sports: A Journey of Reconciliation
In the border region of Muhoroni and Nandi, where conflicts over cattle rustling have long divided communities, a transformative initiative is making waves. Discover how KEDHAP Foundation’s “Sports for Peace” program is using the universal language of sports to bridge divides and foster dialogue among the Luo and Kalenjin ethnic groups.
Community leader Peter shares an inspiring story of how mixed-team sports tournaments and conflict resolution workshops turn past grievances into collaborative triumphs. Join us as we explore how laughter, teamwork, and shared victories create a pathway toward lasting peace. 🕊️
👉 Read the full story here and see how sports are redefining futures.
Sustainable Solutions For Empowering Widows
In the Female Empowerment Ministry, Jackline, a member of the Border B Women Group and a widow, shared her inspiring testimony. As a beneficiary of seed and fertilizer donations from KEDHAP during the last planting season, Jackline depended on manual labour to support her family. Struggling to afford certified maize seeds after her husband’s passing, Jackline expressed gratitude for the support she received. The seeds enabled her to work diligently on her farm. For the first time since the death of her husband ten years ago, this resulted in a harvest of 12 sacks of maize – the most significant yield she had ever obtained. This harvest not only provided sustenance for her family but also allowed her to sell surplus bags, expanding her farming activities. With tears of appreciation, Jackline thanked KEDHAP for the transformative impact their support had brought to her life.
KEDHAP is facing a financial challenge this year due to reduced funds. The project’s staff and Board are discussing its future and considering purchasing a tractor for income generation and sustainability. To make this possible, KEDHAP needs additional support from donors. Your contribution as a generous individual is crucial for KEDHAP to continue its impactful programs.
Can we count on you to help KEDHAP overcome this financial hurdle and sustain its vital projects?
May 2024: Urgent Call for Support!
In an unprecedented crisis, our partner in Kenya, KEDHAP, reaches out to the community for help. The past week has seen devastating floods ravage their home, leaving homes submerged and families displaced. As part of the County Disaster Response Team, KEDHAP’s representative Gordon has witnessed the unimaginable, with vital institutions like schools and hospitals engulfed by the floodwaters.
Businesses and schools were forced to close. Some 600 people are still trapped in their homes. Some 15,000 people have been displaced, and cases of water-borne diseases like typhoid and schistosomiasis are starting to surface.
The scenes of destruction are heartbreaking, with lives lost and countless others in peril. The government and local agencies are doing their best to respond, but the scale of the disaster is overwhelming. Gordon appeals to the community for urgent assistance, emphasizing the critical need for emergency relief supplies, medical aid, and shelter infrastructure.
Your support can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by this disaster. Donations will enable KEDHAP to provide essential supplies such as foodstuffs, blankets, mosquito nets, and clothing for children. Medical supplies, including water purification tablets and vital medicines, are urgently needed to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases. Additionally, contributions will help procure materials for constructing temporary shelters, offering safety and protection to displaced families.
Your generosity can provide hope and relief to those who have lost everything. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbours in their time of greatest need. Please consider donating today to support KEDHAP’s emergency response efforts here.
May 2024: A Goal Achieved!
Thanks to YOUR incredible support, Mwale’s dreams are taking flight! A generous donor has supported Mwale’s last two years of university education. In September 2022, Mwale Joseph Makome was a determined 19-year-old from a humble family in Kipsamwe village who achieved a remarkable milestone. Mwale comes from a family of six who live as squatters in Kipsamwe village. Despite facing hardships as the son of casual labourers, Mwale excelled in his studies at Songhor Secondary School, earning an impressive B+ grade (the best grade Songhor Sec School has achieved in 11 years) in his KCSE exams. This achievement opened the door to university, but without financial support, Mwale’s dreams of higher education were at risk.
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Mwale’s journey continued as he stepped onto the campus of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to pursue his B.Sc. degree in Medical Biochemistry. ImpactHope, through KEDHAP, provided vital support for Mwale’s university education, ensuring his potential could be fully realized.
Mwale’s story is a testament to the life-changing impact of your donations. Despite adversity, he remains determined to excel in his studies and make a difference in his community. Your support has made all the difference in Mwale’s life, and we’re incredibly grateful for your kindness and generosity. Let’s continue to cheer him on as he soars toward his dreams!
March 2024: Quarterly Updates
KEDHAP is thrilled to share some highlights from its latest quarterly update! Despite challenges, the organization is making significant strides in empowering vulnerable communities in Kenya. Here are a few key achievements:
👩🎓 Education: The sponsorship programs open doors for students, with many achieving impressive academic success.
🏥 PLWHAs: Adolescents living with HIV are accessing vital medication and group therapy sessions, with 99% achieving viral load suppression.
🌾 Food Security: Despite challenges, KEDHAP empowers vulnerable community groups with certified seeds and fertilizer to enhance food security.
Join us in celebrating these successes and learn more about KEDHAP’s impact by reading the full report here!
March 2024: Empower Kenya’s Brightest Minds
In September 2022, Mwale Joseph Makome, a determined 19-year-old from a humble family in Kipsamwe village, achieved a remarkable milestone. Mwale comes from a family of 6 who live as squatters in Kipsamwe village. Despite facing hardships as the son of casual labourers, Mwale excelled in his studies at Songhor Secondary School, earning an impressive B+ grade (the best grade Songhor Sec School has achieved in a period of 11 years) in his KCSE exams. This achievement opened the door to university, but without financial support, Mwale’s dreams of higher education were at risk.
Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Mwale’s journey continued as he stepped onto the campus of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to pursue his B.Sc degree in Medical Biochemistry. ImpactHope, through KEDHAP, provided vital support for Mwale’s university education, ensuring that his potential could be fully realized.
Mwale’s story is a testament to the life-changing impact of your donations. Despite facing adversity, he remains determined to excel in his studies and make a difference in his community. With continued support from ImpactHope and mentorship from KEDHAP, Mwale is destined for greatness.
Will you help Mwale cross the finish line?!! Join us in supporting his university education journey and unlocking his full potential here. (Designate ‘Mwale Education’)
March 2024: Step into the realm of empowerment with us as we approach International Women’s Day!
Thanks to YOUR unwavering support, girls from KEDHAP-supported schools in Kenya are standing tall, empowered to pursue their dreams with unstoppable determination. From providing essential resources to fostering a culture of confidence and resilience, your donations have ignited a spark of empowerment that shines brightly in each girl’s eyes. 💪💙
This week, let’s shine a spotlight on the projects that truly embody the spirit of empowerment. Join us in celebrating the incredible impact of our initiatives and spreading the message of empowerment far and wide. Together, let’s make every day a celebration of the remarkable strength and resilience of women and girls everywhere.
👉Did you know? For 25$ a month you can impact 15 girls!
Learn how you can help here.
Breaking Barriers, Changing Lives: KEDHAP’s Impact on HIV+ Adolescents
HIV continues to pose a significant public health challenge in rural Kenyan villages, affecting the lives of many. Unfortunately, progress toward HIV goals has stagnated over recent years due to limited resources, leaving thousands at risk. There is a critical call for responsible leaders and citizens to address the inequalities hindering AIDS eradication, ensuring equitable access to essential HIV services, particularly for children and key populations.
KEDHAP’s primary focus includes collaborating with HIV+ adolescents in 5 Comprehensive Care Clinics across Muhoroni and Tinderet Sub Counties. This partnership plays a vital role in monitoring HIV+ patients, ensuring the quality and continuity of HIV care, with special attention to children’s treatment.
Amidst these challenges, KEDHAP remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering HIV+ adolescents. Every individual deserves access to the necessary care and support to thrive. Together, KEDHAP and its partners are making a tangible impact, changing lives for the better.
January 2024
Education and confidence shouldn’t pause during a period! Vera’s testimony highlights the crucial impact of the Pads for Progress program by ImpactHope and KEDHAP foundation.
“Before they came, I couldn’t join activities, afraid I might soil myself. Now, with sanitary towels, I exercise freely, knowing I’m healthy. I can’t embarrass myself. Thank you!”
Staying active and not missing school during periods is essential for girls’ confidence and education. Your support ensures they don’t miss out, empowering them to engage fully in their activities. Join us in backing the Pads for Progress program, empowering girls to stay confident, active, and unstoppable.
✨For $25 a month, you can impact 15 girls! Give a gift today at https://impacthope.ca/pads and empower more students like Vera to reach their full potential.
Confidence For Every Schoolgirl
Your support changes lives! Listen to Irene’s moving testimony about the impact of the Pads for Progress program by the Kenya Economic Development & Human Advancement Project (KEDHAP) foundation. As a standard eight student at Songeto Primary School, Irene shares how your contributions have transformed her education and confidence.
“I used to face so many challenges before the support from KEDHAP foundation and ImpactHope. I’d often miss school, afraid I might spoil myself in class. I couldn’t participate in activities due to shyness. When called upon by teachers, I’d fear the boys’ laughter if I answered. But thanks to the Foundation…”
Your donations make stories like Irene’s possible. The Pads for Progress program ensures that girls like Irene can access sanitary pads and clean underwear, empowering them to attend school confidently and participate in all activities without fear or hesitation. You give girls the dignity of attending school without fear, allowing them to engage fully in their education and activities.
Imagine: For $25 a month, you can impact 15 girls! Give a gift today at https://impacthope.ca/pads and empower more students like Irene to reach their full potential. Let’s continue changing lives together!
Christmas Wishes from the KEDHAP family!
This holiday season, the KEDHAP team has a special message just for our incredible donors!
ImpactHope and the wonderful KEDHAP staff wish you all a Merry Christmas! KEDHAP is passionately committed to transforming lives and empowering communities. Through impactful education sponsorships, they’re nurturing the potential of bright young minds. Their initiatives ensure girls have access to vital resources and education, breaking barriers and empowering them for a brighter future. Beyond education, KEDHAP’s focus on peacebuilding initiatives fosters unity, creating lasting change and opportunities. None of this would be possible without the unwavering support of donors like you. Your generosity fuels these impactful programs, making a world of difference in the lives of those they serve.
Sep 2023: Hope for PLWHAs
One of KEDHAP’s remarkable initiatives is their support for People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA). They understand that good nutrition is a cornerstone of health, especially for PLWHAs. That’s why they provide:
- Food assistance for those unable to work or grow food.
- Seeds and materials for those who can cultivate their own sustenance.
- Transport to ensure access to vital medical care.
- Counselling to nurture emotional well-being.
But there’s an even more pressing reason why this work is essential in today’s context. Many adolescents and children are infected because HIV/AIDS is passed on from their parents.
In today’s context, where HIV/AIDS continues to affect generations, access to proper nutrition is more important than ever. PLWHAs facing hunger are unable to work and often default on their vital ARV medication. This not only jeopardizes their health but also perpetuates the cycle of poverty and illness, affecting innocent children who inherit this devastating legacy.
But together, we can break this cycle! We urge you to support KEDHAP’s mission to empower PLWHAs, including children and adolescents, and provide them with the tools they need to thrive
Helping Girls Live Brilliant Lives
In Kenya, many girls have big dreams and ambitions, but unfortunately, they often lack equal opportunities compared to boys due to a simple biological factor – their monthly period.
KEDHAP provides pads to girls from vulnerable backgrounds, including those living in extreme poverty, orphans, those lacking accessible water, and those residing in nearby slums. KEDHAP aims to bring hope and opportunities to these girls who face disadvantages due to their gender and their monthly period, making it difficult to attend school for close to a week every month due to cultural stigma and lack of access to supplies.
The girls at Queen of Peace school are just some of the over 5,000 girls across 53 partner schools who are thrilled to have received pads from KEDHAP. We want to express our gratitude to the Brilliant Minded Women Foundation for their support towards ImpactHope’s girl’s mentorship program and sanitary pad distribution efforts for the Kenya Economic Development and Human Advancement Project (KEDHAP) since November 2022.
May 2023: Blog Post
Peacemaking Initiatives To Resolve Tribal Conflict
Peacemaking initiatives in Kenya are important as they provide a platform for dialogue, reconciliation and healing for people affected by conflict and violence. We are so grateful to Nigerian Ph.D. Dr. Dorcas Ettang, a Senior Lecturer in Conflict Transformation and Peace Studies Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, for willing to provide solutions to some of the challenges KEDHAP is facing in their tribal peacemaking initiatives.
The event was held online on April 29, 2023. The audio recording is available in this blog post.
May 2023: Help Zachary Fight HIV!
Zachary didn’t choose this life – fear of the future, fatigue, social stigma. And yet, donors like you have given him a fighting chance at a hope-filled future. Your donations will go a long way in helping him access the medical care, education, and support he needs to thrive.
KEDHAP has impacted the lives of hundreds of People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) thanks to YOUR support and encouragement. We are grateful for our partners KEDHAP, who make the difference between a life of fear and empowerment for many vulnerable people like Zachary!
Event: April 29, 2023
Thank you for joining us on April 29th as we discussed solutions to the challenges faced by our KEDHAP project partners in tribal peacemaking. We are grateful to all those who attended and supported the event with their time and kind input. Hannah, ImpactHope’s Director of Development, hosted the online discussion as Ph.D., Dr. Dorcas Ettang and Gordon, Executive Director of KEDHAP, spoke about the various aspects of peacebuilding in Kenya.
Our partner KEDHAP promotes peacemaking and resilience through #transformational #development in Kenya. “On behalf of KEDHAP’S peace and reconciliation ministry, we want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Dr. Dorcas for her time, research, and the insights she gave in helping us answer some of our questions in the ministry. I was touched by how we can put aside past painful histories and begin the process of unlearning to embrace a peaceful culture.” – Gordon, Executive Director of KEDHAP.
ImpactHope looks forward to providing pathways for our projects to gain practical training and support from field experts. We are so grateful to Dr. Dorcas Ettang for shedding light on the challenges of trying to make peace or build peace and reconcile. Dorcas shared several ideas that KEDHAP will implement within their context to help improve the peacebuilding ministry. We would also like to thank Robert Kruse, a long-standing Canadian supporter, donor, and advisor of KEDHAP since 2007, his input on the historical context of the ongoing tribal conflict.
We will soon publish the interview and relevant materials on our website and social media in the coming days. We also look forward to hosting many similar events in the coming months, and we hope you will continue supporting our efforts to make an impact worldwide!
April 2023: Peacemaking Initiatives To Resolve Tribal Conflict
There have been periodic clashes along the Kisumu-Nandi and Kisumu-Kericho County borders, usually between the Kalenjin and Luo tribes. Historical land tenure, disputed administrative boundaries, cattle rustling, and political incitement have divided the communities along ethnic lines for decades. These ethnic clashes have led to the closure of schools, the burning of homes, the torching of sugar cane, the destruction of family food crops (especially corn and beans), displacement of residents and have even claimed lives.
Read a synopsis of KEDHAP’s peacemaking ministry here.
KEDHAP’s programs have always and will continue to consider the history and interests of all ethnic communities within the border area and actively involve community members in peacebuilding, integration, and cohesion, including the co-ownership of projects involving both ethnic communities.
Join the conversation as we discuss solutions to the challenges faced by our KEDHAP project partners in tribal peacemaking with Ph.D. Dorcas Ettang on April 28, 2023 at 10 AM EDT! Register TODAY at https://TribalPeacemaking.eventbrite.com.
New Blog Post!
Ruth is a 15-year-old class eight girl from Songhor primary school supported by KEDHAP’s female empowerment program. Ruth’s mother, Cindy, is single with three children and takes care of her epileptic sister. Cindy does not have a job, and to provide for her family, she works as a casual labourer, weeding peoples’ farms.
Cindy says,” Your support of my daughter has saved me because I was unaware when she began having her monthly period! Imagine my surprise when she asked me for sanitary towels when schools were closed..”
Read the whole of Ruth’s story in our blog post here!
Thanks to the support of foundations like the Brilliant Minded Women Foundation (BMWF), KEDHAP has had an overwhelmingly positive impact on these girls and women in Kenya. Girls are now realizing their potential and performing better than ever. Thanks to KEDHAP’s efforts, these girls are now becoming role models to others in the community. Thank you for being part of this journey!
Event: Kenya Tribal Peacekeeping with Ph.D. Dr. Dorcas
Join us LIVE on April 29th at 10 a.m. EDT as we discuss solutions to the challenges faced by our KEDHAP project partners in tribal peacemaking with Ph.D. Dorcas Ettang! Dr. Dorcas Ettang specializes in peacebuilding, conflict management and conflict prevention. She is a Senior Lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and has over ten years of experience and research!
Register TODAY at https://TribalPeacemaking.eventbrite.com for what is sure to be a unique dive into Kenyan tribal conflict and grassroots peacemaking!
Peacemaking initiatives in Kenya are important as they provide a platform for #dialogue, #reconciliation and #healing for people affected by conflict and violence. They are important for preventing future conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence between different communities. ImpactHope aspires to not only share the work our partners do but also empower them to succeed and grow through networking, training, and counselling.
April 2023: Help Us End Period Poverty!
Joan is one among the 5,478 girls in primary and secondary schools in Kisumu and Nandi County who were supplied with sanitary pads and new underwear last year. According to a report by UNICEF, approximately 3.4 million girls between the ages of 10 and 19 in Kenya lack access to sanitary pads and other menstrual hygiene products, leading to the practice of missing school days during their periods. The report also found that only one in four girls can access the necessary information and materials to manage their periods with dignity. In addition, the report found that nearly 80% of girls in Kenya use cloth or other unhygienic materials such as newspaper, mattress stuffing, and leaves to absorb menstrual blood. (Source: UNICEF, 2020)
Joan and her classmates in Form 4 say THANK YOU for your support!
KEDHAP, our partner in Kisumu and Nandi County, Kenya, ensures that basic hygiene is taught in schools and supplies menstrual hygiene products such as sanitary pads and underwear to schoolgirls. In addition to providing access to menstrual products, KEDHAP also facilitates health education classes. The sessions help them understand their reproductive health better as they learn how to overcome challenges that come with changes brought about by transitioning through adolescence.
Joan and her classmates are grateful to be supported and acknowledged. By donating to KEDHAP, you can help provide essential services to women and girls in need and support KEDHAP as it advocates for global gender equality. Your donation can make a real difference in the lives of women in Kenya.
March 2023
Precious, Mary and Joan are ready for university!
Our partner in Kenya, KEDHAP Foundation, uses an open, merit-based process to award scholarships to bright, talented girls. The scholarship targets girls from impoverished backgrounds who are orphans or vulnerable and needy. Of the seven students who sat for their KCSE exams in 2022, three achieved the minimum university entry grade of C+ and above for government-sponsored students. The remaining students have achieved grades enabling them to attend tertiary institutions and teachers training colleges. This is significant considering that economic status, early marriages, and school environment influence girls’ drop-out rate by 46.6 percent. (*researchgate)
These results indicate that the female empowerment program is bearing fruit! Educated girls are more likely to earn higher wages and participate in the formal economy, which can help to break the cycle of poverty and improve the economic prospects of their families and communities.
Feb 2023: Empowering HIV+ Adolescents
Sharon Elga is one of the adolescents living with HIV that KEDHAP supports at the Tamu Comprehensive Care Clinic. She studies in a mixed boys and girls secondary school. Despite her difficult circumstances, she is in the 55th position out of 299 students. Over 80% of adolescent paediatrics in 6 Comprehensive Care Clinics have suppressed their viral load because of your support!
In 2022, KEDHAP
- provided 433 Persons Living With HIV Aids with food and transport to reach the Comprehensive Care Clinics for their appointments to collect their ARV medicine and attend group therapy meetings, ensuring achievement of ‘operation triple zero’ (Zero missed appointments, zero missed drugs and zero viral loads) among the ‘support groups’ in 6 facilities.
- facilitated 72 life skills sessions for paediatric adolescents at the Comprehensive Care Clinics in safe spaces, empowering them and building their self-esteem to overcome stigma and stick to drug adherence.
- supplied two community Comprehensive Care Clinics, each with a 10,000 litres water tank to store and provide clean drinking water at the facilities.
- provided 88 paediatric adolescents with certified seeds for crop production.
By donating, you can help provide essential services to women and girls in need and support KEDHAP as it advocates for global gender equality. Your donation can make a real difference in the lives of women in Kenya.
Jan 2023: Impact Report 2022
Women in Kenya have historically faced discrimination, violence, and inequality. Female empowerment can help to shift the cultural norms and attitudes towards women by encouraging them to gain equal access to education, jobs, healthcare, and political representation. Female empowerment can also provide women with the tools and support to help them break away from generational poverty and become financially independent. This can enable them to become powerful agents of change in their communities and help to ensure that Kenya’s future is more equitable and prosperous.
ImpactHope has partnered with KEDHAP in Kisumu and Nandi County to support this cause. Following are some of the highlights of the important work they did in 2022:
- 5,478 menstruating girls in secondary and primary school were supplied with monthly sanitary towels and underwear to enable them to learn comfortably in school during their periods and avoid school absenteeism.
- 25 girls below 14 years were trained on reproductive health during the school holiday. The sessions help them understand their reproductive health better as they also learn how to overcome challenges that come with changes brought by transitioning through adolescence.
- 188 people from 4 women groups attended microfinance training and table banking to help them improve their businesses.
Read all updates in our Annual Impact Report at www.impacthope.ca/impactreport2022.
THANK YOU!
For many of us, the holiday season was joyful, but many vulnerable families in Kenya still struggle to make ends meet. KEDHAP staff visited HIV-positive pediatric adolescents at the Ogen CCC to provide them with maize and transport money. These vulnerable souls appreciated the support and wished everyone a Merry Christmas!
Your support has made this gesture of love possible!
December, 2022 – Thank You blessing this family!
A few months ago, we started a fundraiser for Charles’ family. Charles was a staff in the Food Security and Income Generation Ministry at KEDHAP, Kenya, who was brutally murdered, rendering his wife and three little children helpless.
Thanks to your support, KEDHAP was able to build a house before Charles was buried, which enabled his wife to secure the portion of land that was the husband’s inheritance. Because of this timely action, the family was saved from a cultural backlash. A lot still needs to be done on the house’s walls since the soil the family used is of poor quality and cracks, leaving the walls with holes.
The KEDHAP staff have been visiting her to check on her progress and to train her in some micro-finance initiatives. After exploring different business options, they settled on making and selling chips and ‘bhajia’ (a special delicacy made from fried potatoes, popular among schoolchildren). One of the staff was able to train her in making these snacks.
Charles’ widow thanks you for what she describes as removing the shame of “a forced forfeit of inheritance which I could have undergone immediately if my husband was buried while I was still living with my in-laws..”
Thank you for helping this vulnerable family in their time of need!
December, 2022 – AIDS AWARENESS MONTH
December is AIDS Awareness month. About 37.7 million people across the globe have HIV, according to UNAIDS. Every December 1, the world comes together to show solidarity.
HIV infection is incurable, but one can control it with good-quality education about it, especially in rural areas. It was once an unmanageable chronic health condition, but with advances in HIV prevention, diagnosis, management, and care, people with HIV can live long and healthy lives.
KEDHAP works towards improving health (and access to care) through various activities, such as providing economically disadvantaged students (especially girls and orphans) with access to secondary education, providing deserving female students with sanitary supplies to allow them to attend school all month long, supporting orphaned and vulnerable children, improving hygiene practices and teaching of such in schools, facilitating access to Comprehensive Care Clinics (CCC) for PLWHAs, enabling access to information, enabling capacity-building for KEDHAP-affiliated groups, providing subsidized food and seeds to those in need, and providing alternative options for healthy food through the promotion of organic farming.
Read our blog post here to learn more about how KEDHAP changed the lives of girls like Sheril and Cynthia.
October, 2022 – New Blog Post!
Let’s Get To Know Evelyne, Student Of The Year Nominee
“Most often than not, it takes only one person to believe in you and make you see the light…” – Ochieng Evelyne, Proud KEDHAP Alumnus and an awardee for the Student of The Year Award that will be presented by the Brilliant Minded Women Organization at their 2022 annual gala on November 12th.
Evelyne did not hold back her ambitions despite the challenges brought on by her circumstances. Evelyne’s family struggled to finance her education, so much so that Evelyne would possibly drop out of High School. She was spotted as a promising candidate by ImpactHope’s in-country partners, KEDHAP Foundation, for their various female empowerment programs, which allowed her to complete her secondary education successfully.
Read our blog post here to learn more about how KEDHAP changed Evelyne’s life.
September, 2022
Hope for Rosemary
…because I rescued the poor who cried for help and the fatherless who had none to assist them. The one who was dying blessed me; I made the widow’s heart sing. (Job 29: 12-13). As Rosemary read this verse, tears rolled down her cheek and fell on the pages of her Bible. She wiped them off and knelt on the cold hard floor in prayer. Now there was hope. There was a purpose amid all her pain.
Rosemary is an eleven-year-old adolescent diagnosed with HIV in grade 4. She gets her ARV (Antiretroviral) medicine from Ogen CCC. Rosemary’s story is one of struggles and loneliness; she is taken care of by a single mother. They live in a rented house in Ogen. Rosemary’s mother makes charcoal which she sells at the local shopping center for food and rent.
To know more about KEDHAP’s work with People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), read our blog at https://bit.ly/3dBtoN0.
Rosemary says, “We use the Maize provided by KEDHAP to prepare nutritious meals like porridge or Ugali, which gives me strength to go to school. The transport money sponsored by them enables me to reach the facility on time without skipping my appointments and take my medicines on time. KEDHAP gives us seeds to plant crops, which we eat or sell at the market for money. Through a distribution program in school, KEDHAP has also given me pads and pants. The staff encourages us to work hard and adhere to taking our drugs on time as instructed by the doctors so we can live a healthy life with HIV. KEDHAP has also brought us a package of essential groceries and supplies to show their love. When I grow up, I want to be a teacher to earn money and help my mother stop working with charcoal. Kindly continue to help us. God bless you all”.
September, 2022 – SPECIAL FUNDRAISER
Bring Hope to Charles’ Family.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our KEDHAP staff, Charles Mudho. Charles was a staff in the Food Security and Income Generation Ministry at KEDHAP, Kenya. Charles met his demise in very untoward circumstances. He is survived by his wife and three young children, the eldest being only in grade 2. We ask that you remember his family in your prayers.
We are honoured to be working with partners dedicated to their causes and working hard to spread the light of the Gospel even in the darkest corners of the world. We pray for God’s mercy and protection over all our brothers and sisters.
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27”
We have committed to supporting Charles’ wife and children with a financial gift of $2500. We are also helping her build a roof over their heads so the family will have a safe shelter. If you would like to bless Charles’ bereaved family, go here and select ‘Support Charles’ Family’ in the subsequent donation pages.
August 2022 – Women Empowerment Update
Girls and women in Kenya hold unlimited potential, but the barriers that constrain women are multifaceted. KEDHAP endeavours to tackle harmful gender norms that continue to threaten the health and rights of adolescent girls.
The Kenya Women’s Empowerment Index (WEI) shows that only 29 percent of Kenyan women can participate equally and effectively in political, economic, and cultural life — their involvement largely depends on household circumstances. (Source: UN Women 2022)
Read the update report here.
July 2022 – Hope and Healing for PLWHAs
A noteworthy project is KEDHAP’s assistance to People living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), wherein KEDHAP provides food for those unable to work or grow food, and seeds and other materials for those who can grow their own food.
KEDHAP currently has 78 HIV+ adolescents supported every month in these two facilities. In addition to a collaborative effort involving the government to provide ARV medication, KEDHAP also offers transport, maize, counselling, and seeds to adolescents.
Read the update report here.
June, 2022 – Mwale’s last shot at education!
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐜 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥! “𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘭𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴. 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺,” – These are the words of a humble yet jubilant boy.
Mwale Joseph Makome is a 17-year-old boy with five other siblings. He comes from a family of squatters at Kipsamwe village in the Muhoroni sub-county. His parents are casual laborers in the neighboring large-scale landowner’s farms. Mwale is a KEDHAP-sponsored student at Songhor Sec School. He sat for his KCSE in 2021 and achieved a mean grade of B+ (the best grade his School has achieved in 11 years)! The top 2.4% in all of Kenya with over 800000 students tested in grade 12. Out of 36 other candidates who sat for the school’s national examination, Mwale was one of the two students from his school who attained a direct entry grade to university. Mwale has attributed his exemplary performance to discipline and hard work.
Despite scoring 317 marks in KCPE, he could not join the school he was admitted to due to the lack of funds. “My dream is to mentor other students in my area to realize their potential. I also want to pursue a medicine course,” says Mwale.
Mwale was a star performer at his school – the school captain and a member of the school’s life skills club. He is one of the most disciplined students the school has ever had. Mwale is grateful for a good working relationship between teachers, students, parents, and KEDHAP, which he believes also played a big part in improving his performance in the school.
Mwale will need at least $5000 a year for his four-year university course. Would you like to help Mwale cross his next finish line? Donate to KEDHAP and mention ‘Mwale’ in your comments. Give Mwale hope today!
June, 2022:
Empowering Female Farmers
In Songhor, Kenya, impoverished women are beginning to earn an income, grow food crops, develop new skills, and start collective savings thanks to KEDHAP’s Female empowerment program benefitting approximately 700 women in Muhoroni and Tinderet Sub counties.
Read more on our blog here (part 1) and here (part 2).
May, 2022
Carol is 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 13 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 with a direct entry grade to the University! A 2021 KCSE graduate from a Muhoroni Sec School, Carol had to navigate through a host of challenges as a girl living in the slums of Muhoroni.
“𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔. 𝑴𝒚 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒑𝒂𝒚, 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒖𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒊 𝒃𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒌. 𝑾𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒊𝒙 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒏, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍. 𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒅𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒍, 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 – 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒆𝒍 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔.”
Carol’s parents could not afford to care for Carol’s hygiene requirements. Carol had to stay home during her menses for fear of soiling her skirt. She feared the shame and embarrassment she saw fellow girls go through during menses in school.
KEDHAP stepped in at the opportune time and supported the girls of her school with sanitary towels, underwear, and girls’ health talks. Carol was able to attend classes regularly and did not miss any lessons because of her monthly periods. KEDHAP further encouraged Carol through discussions on how to overcome some of the challenges faced by the girls and gave her tips to improve her performance in class!
March, 2022
KEDHAP has pioneered the Goat Dairy project to assist with nutritional and financial stability for widows, orphans and people living with HIV/AIDS.
The idea was initiated in 2006 through the provision of one pair of local goats each, to 98 widows and their extended family members. The following year, KEDHAP was able to establish its own Dairy Goat Project, which included training and proper sensitization for the beneficiaries, on Dairy Goat Farming and the model that KEDHAP intended to adopt.
The social and economic impact has been dramatic! Many widows who are now empowered and experts in goat farming can feed their families. In addition, the surplus milk is sold, providing a source of income to buy food, medication, and other necessities. KEDHAP’s approach and model has been so successful that there are now 16 groups established in western Kenya, impacting more than 800 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧!
Mary, a Dairy Goat Project beneficiary from the Soba DG cluster.
February, 2022
Education: We are proud to report that 3 girls and 6 boys under our sponsorship are sitting for their KCSE exams. We are grateful that despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic, which caused many students to drop out of school, all our sponsored students are able to sit their exams.
Peace-building and Reconciliation Ministry: We have a general calm at the border as a result of the vigilance by the peace committees who are holding meetings twice every month within the common ethnic border region.
Women Empowerment: 5250 girls in 52 schools were supplied with sanitary towels and underwear.
PLWHA’s Ministry: All the enlisted 313 adolescents attended their scheduled clinic appointments on a monthly basis. Self-reported adherence has improved significantly, leading to viral load suppression over time. 298 adolescents reported zero viral load during their last clinic appointment this month.
Remmy, a pediatric adolescent at Ogen CCC receives a donation of maize support.
December, 2021
This year on World AIDS day, KEDHAP joined other leaders and stakeholders to confront the inequalities that drive AIDS and to reach those who are currently not receiving essential HIV services. There are many success stories and Grace is one such inspiration.
She is a 16-year-old girl who was diagnosed with HIV at the tender age of 4 and started antiretroviral treatments at 5. As a child, it was not easy for her to accept the fact that she would have to take HIV medication for the rest of her life. She blamed her deceased mother for her troubles, but after being counselled through training by KEDHAP staff and Ministry of Health peer educators, she eventually accepted her status and is now an asset in the fight against HIV/AIDS among the youth.
Today, Grace is a Youth Ambassador working with young people at the Tamu Comprehensive Care Clinic in Kenya, supporting those who struggle with HIV. The clarion call at the Tamu CCC is “End Teen pregnancies, End inequalities, End AIDS”.
Just as Grace saw her life changed for the better by the important work done by our partner KEDHAP, many more teens with HIV/AIDS will be impacted and given hope!
September 15, 2021
The ministry of support to PLWHA’s is one of the most vital and impactful programs KEDHAP is running. We have been able to give many members hope in the community and a reason to live near normal lives away from frustrations and the effects of HIV/AIDs through the work of grace. We are grateful to all our partners who have stood with us on this journey of transformation.
Although many considered HIV/AIDS to be a death sentence, it is still possible to live a long, healthy life due to ARVs (anti retro-viral drugs). ARVs are NOT a cure; they have to be taken for life. However, they will prevent HIV from spreading through the body and can prevent it from developing into AIDS…(read more).
August 31, 2021
Girls like Syprine deserve to receive an education but the reality is that girls from low-income families are more likely to stop or drop out of school due to financial struggle or having older siblings that are male. But this does not have to be how their story ends! Not only has Syprine been given the gift of education but she has also been given the gift of hope and the opportunity to break the hold that poverty has on her life!
Click here to read Syprine’s Story!
June 14, 2021
“Addah has been consistent in her academic performance since elementary school but without the support we received from KEDHAP, she couldn’t have reached this far because they ensured regular school attendance through the provision of financial help as well as sanitary towels and underwear. Before Addah was supported with proper sanitary towels, she would use old blanket pieces and cloths which made her uncomfortable and sometimes made her stay home from school. I am so grateful for everyone who has supported Addah’s education as they have given her the gift of a better future. This is the best blessings a mother could ask for her child.”
– Addah’s Mother
Click here to read Addah’s Story!
