Jenn Winter

Christmas Dinners for Manjani Mingi

Posted on January 17, 2014January 17, 2014 by Jenn Winter

Irene presents the families of Manjani Mingi with Christmas dinner. — Irene presents Christmas dinner and supplies to the families at Manjani Mingi

In mid-November Irene, VICDA’s founder and executive director, had a small request: to fundraise in order to provide Christmas dinners to the 331 families at Manjani Mingi IDP Camp. For about 450 Kenyan Shillings (about $5.50 USD) Irene hoped to purchase a half litre of cooking oil, a kilo of lentils, a packet of chapati flour and a few biscuits for the children for each IDP family in residence. She sent out this request, via email, to a couple of supporters around the world and each former volunteer and supporter worked to fundraise in their own corner of the globe.

The result was nothing short of a Christmas miracle! Irene’s original goal of raising 148,950 Kenyan Shillings (about $1860 USD) to feed the 331 families was completely crushed when nearly 300,000 Kenyan Shillings (about $4,000 USD) of support came in! With the money raised over 700 families at Manjani Minig, Lemolo A and Lemolo B were able to celebrate Christmas this year. For many of these residents, they haven’t been able to celebrate Christmas since 2007, several of the children in the community have absolutely no memory of Christmas celebrations.

A note from Irene, sent out Christmas morning to donors along with several photographs:

Hello VICDA Partners and Friends,
Thank you for embracing the appeal made for Christmas celebrations for the families at Lemolo. Thank you again for entrusting me and VICDA team with your finances.

You have remained very precious and dear to us and your Chrismas gifts have been overwhelming. You gave more than we expected for and due to your giving all the 700 families (4,700 persons) will joyously be celebrating their Christmas. Apart from your kind and cash donations for the foods and clothing; we also received two special Christmas gifts from two of the donors which mean a lot to the Lemolo families. They donated cash for building of a pre-school (attached pics of ongoing pre-school construction) and piping of water for both Lemolo A and B. Some of you also decided to donate your cash towards Christmas gifts for the children homes in VICDA’s program; I am so much overwhelmed with your commitments and support towards VICDA work.

I started a journey and you took the risk of following me not being sure where I will lead you to. Thank you for remaining faithful towards your giving and you make things happen. As you celebrate your Christmas holidays please take good care of yourself and do not compromise your joy/happiness for anything.

Happy Holidays – Enjoy your Christmas and Happy New Year.
Please find the attached photos of your Christmas gifts.

Thank you.
Irene and VICDA Team.

It’s amazing what can happen when people come together from all over the world with a common goal. Christmas wishes from sunny Australia, snowy USA and nearby Nairobi were all felt at Manjani Mingi. On behalf of VICDA, thank you to all who donated to make this the merriest of Christmases for these 700 families. And a special thank you to the kind donors who are piping water to the camp and constructing the preschool at Lemolo. These are gifts that will be appreciated for generations to come!

GVN Foundation Assists VICDA Projects

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Jenn Winter

VICDA and Global Volunteer Network, GVN, have worked together for nearly a decade with the common goal of feeding the hungry, caring for the sick and giving hope and a home to the homeless of Kenya. GVN’s volunteer program regularly sends new volunteers to Kenya to work in various projects and the GVN Foundation has fundraised for and donated generous funds to VICDA’s many projects.

Each year GVN Foundation’s global fundraiser, Eat So They Can, asks people from around the world to host a dinner party in order to raise money for those who are struggling, primarily children. The funds are then distributed to GVN’s many projects, primarily in South America, Southeast Asia and East Africa. As GVN’s Kenya partner, VICDA projects have benefited directly from these funds and donations.

Ushirika Clinic is a community health center, located in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. Ushirika is a relatively small clinic that serves a vast population and they are more often than not short of supplies and medicines needed to treat their many patients. VICDA has sent GVN volunteers to Ushirika since 2006 and GVN Foundation’s recent donation of medical supplies and medicines will be of great assistance to the Kiberan community, literally hundreds of thousands of people.

Medical donations to Ushirika Clinic in Kibera.

Children partaking in the Spirulina project, funded by GVN Foundation.

This past year, GVN Foundation has taken a great interest in VICDA’s Spirulina program. Spirulina is a nutrient rich algae that can be mixed into foods or taken as a capsule and VICDA has established Spirulina “farms” to grow the algae as well as implemented feeding programs for HIV patients and children in particular to benefit from the protein, vitamins and other nutrients found in this “super food.”

Spirulina project, funded by Eat So They Can donations.

Water is a resource that is hard to come by in much of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas. Maasailand is especially known for being arid and Maasai women oftentimes need to walk up to 6 hours a day, just to collect 20 L of water and carry it back to the camp. This is oftentimes the reason given for pulling Maasai girls out of school at an early age, so they can assist in the water collection for the family. By providing a new water tank, GVN isn’t only giving water to the community but they are giving back valuable years of education for young Maasai girls. GVN Foundation is assisting an area of Maasailand called Olshoboor, at a schooled called Ronesa School.

Children at Ronesa with their new water tank!

The Woman Behind “Caring for the Children of Africa”

Posted on November 15, 2013November 21, 2013 by Jenn Winter

Annie Copley of Adelaide, Australia first journeyed to Kenya as a GVN volunteer in 2006. Little did she know, the three months spent counseling HIV/AIDS patients in Nairobi’s slum areas would completely change the direction of her life. “This work has not only changed my life, it has become my life,” says Annie, ” I have a deep sense of gratitude today for the people of Kenya who, with their quiet strength and hope, teach me about real love, patience and tolerance.”

Not long after her return to Australia Annie and her dear friend, Lauro Martire, hosted their first fundraising dinner at Lauro’s restaurant, East Terrace Continental. Held in November of 2007, that first dinner raised $11,000 – funds that were sent to VICDA at a time of great need, following the election violence of December 2007. With the money raised by Annie and Lauro’s dinner, VICDA was able to purchase mattresses, blankets, food and cooking supplies for recently displaced Kenyans in the Rift Valley.

This successful dinner was the start of Caring for the Children of Africa, a registered non-profit run by Annie and directly benefited by several of VICDA’s projects. Annie credits much of the organization’s success to the many donors and supporters who have assisted along the way but it was her collaboration with Lauro that started the wheel in motion. “Lauro has generously supported the work that I began in 2006 when he agreed to hold our first dinner in 2007. Like me he has fallen in love with the people of Kenya and I am sure he will return one day when his busy schedule allows.” Annie’s 2011 trip to Kenya was especially memorable as Lauro was able to come along and see first hand all of the good work the organization has been able to do.

Since its inception, Annie and her donors have raised about $110,000. With these funds, Annie’s organization has helped tens of thousands of people in Kenya. They’ve funded mobile medical camps, major food drops, ongoing porridge programs in several IDP Camps, renovated classrooms, purchased desks and books and have supplied two orphanages (Shelter in Nairobi and Haven of Hope in Nakuru) with ongoing food and school supplies.

Each dinner fundraiser is carefully thought out and planned by Annie and Lauro. She presents photos and stories of real Kenyans whom she’s met and discusses with her guests about the specific ways in which the funds will be allocated. “At our dinner last month, I presented one of the many recent stories where we were able to relocate a beautiful family, HIV patient Evelyn, with her 3 small children, from an extremely dire living situation in the Nairobi slums of Ngando.” Annie is full of emotion when discussing Evelyn. “They were living in a torn, leaking, muddy tent literally on the side of a railway track – so dangerous for the toddler who could have easily have fallen onto the tracks. We rented a one bedroom ‘shack’ for her near St Josephs, run by the AMKA project. It’s a clean, safe, and secure abode for her and her children.” Caring for the Children of Africa continues to support Evelyn and her children, along with other families Annie has grown to know and love over the years.

A food drop for the 7,000 residents at Manjani Mingi IDP Camp.

The $13,000 raised at their most recent dinner held last month will go toward to construction of Lemolo Nursery School for the IDP children at Manjani Mingi Camp as well as continue a daily porridge program. “A lot of these kids in the camps still go hungry,” Annie explains, “the porridge program ensures that they at least get one nourishing meal a day.”

Annie works with Irene, VICDA’s founder and executive director, to determine the greatest need and personally distributes the funds and supplies on the ground – all the while keeping detailed notes to share with her donors. With her seven trips to Kenya Annie has been able to forge close relationships with many of the IDP residents and patients at AMKA, an HIV/AIDS counseling center where Annie first worked in 2006. Her obvious love for the people of Kenya is reflected in her ongoing dedication and commitment to the cause. “I know I’m going to die in Kenya someday with a big smile on my face,” says Annie, “because this is the work that makes my heart sing!”

Annie with Irene, donating desks for a classroom at Manjani Mingi IDP Camp.

Lemolo School Project Begins!

Posted on October 30, 2013October 28, 2013 by Jenn Winter

We are very excited to begin construction on yet another school today! The 378 school-aged children who live in Lemolo, a community resettlement farm in Rongai near Nakuru, have been attending school outside, under the shade of a couple of trees and a makeshift shed shelter. Currently the nearest school is 6 kilometers away, making it a 12 kilometer walk – much too far for these small children, especially during the rains.

VICDA is, once again, partnering with World Teacher Aid, the Canadian organization behind Shalom Primary School and Springs High School to construct 2 new schools in Lemolo. Like the residents of the Giwa IDP resettlement camp, these children have gone without proper education since their displacement at the end of 2007. Many of them have never experienced an actual school and this addition to the area will be a big step forward in the Lemolo community.

Springs High School

Posted on October 28, 2013 by Jenn Winter

After taking on the project of Shalom Primary School in Rongai and visiting the community, World Teacher Aid recognized a need for a high school in the area. This area, an IDP resettlement camp, had no day school available for low income families and, as a result, students were forced to stop their education after class 8.

Opening day celebrations at Springs High School!

By again partnering with VICDA, World Teacher Aid raised funds for the construction of a high school and we are very happy to announce that on October 10th of this year Springs High School opened its doors! The school is starting small with only a freshman class of about 70 students from the Giwa area as well as other students who travel into the village to attend. The next freshman class will be admitted in January, at the beginning of the 2014 school year. Springs High School has 2 streams in each class with a total of 8 classrooms, 3 laboratories, 3 toilet blocks and the construction of an administration block will be starting soon.

Once again, thank you to World Teacher Aid for their continued work in improving the lives of the needy people of Kenya. Thousands of children and several generations will surely benefit from your good and devoted work!

Shalom Primary School

Posted on October 26, 2013 by Jenn Winter

VICDA was very excited to partner with World Teacher Aid, a Canadian organization, to construct Shalom Primary School in the Giwa IDP Resettlement in Rongai, Kenya. The children living at Giwa have had a very traumatic few years as they were violently displaced after the 2007 presidential election. In addition to living in small tents in overcrowded IDP Camps these children had virtually no access to education for about 4 years. The construction of Shalom Primary School was an important project for the Kenyans living in the area and serves as an enormous step forward as they begin to rebuild their lives in their new homes.

Currently 567 students attend Shalom Primary School. Shalom was the first primary school to be constructed in the area and includes classes 1 thru 8, an administration block and 3 toilet blocks. The construction costs approximately $110,00 USD and will be in use for generations to come.

Students at Shalom Primary School celebrate the opening of their school.

Both VICDA and the residents at Giwa are grateful for World Teacher’s Aid and the work that they have done in the community. Last year donors from World Teacher’s Aid traveled to Kenya to meet the residents of Giwa and to search out new areas in need of schools and donations.

VICDA’s Work with Spirulina

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Jenn Winter

Over the past several months VICDA has continued to work with different communities to introduce Spirulina, a protein and nutrient rich “power food” which is derived from an algae like plant. With its location on the equator and the strong sun, Kenya is an ideal place to grow spirulina. Unlike other crops, it doesn’t require that much land and though it’s grown in water troughs it require significantly less than water than most other crops.

In addition to providing nutrition to hungry children, spirulina has also show to improve the lives of those living with HIV. Kifia Health Group is a part of Kieni Fighters of HIV/AIDS and TB in Nyeri, Kenya. VICDA has partnered with this group of 52 adults and 6 children and has helped to introduce spirulina to the group and has seen a positive improvement in the quality of life for several of the members. As noted by Kifia Health Group:

POLINE NJERI: Njeri was suffering from severe skin rashes which had lasted for 2 years, after using the Spirulina in 2 months the rashes disappeared. She is now very happy for she used to feel disgusted and ashamed. She also has a very good appetite and gained weight. She says that she feels very healthy and strong to start her day.

CHARITY MURINGO: Charity is HIV positive and Diabetics, from she started the spirulina product she has managed her sugar level and gained weight, she used to feel dizziness and sick but now she is strong and healthy. Her CD4 has increased in 2 months from 506 to 536.

CRISTOPHER KARIUKI: Kariuki is now strong and feels active. His skin is also smooth and looking good with good appetite. He used to feel general weakness in his body. His skin was pale and dry and poor appetite. But from when he started the Spirulina product he has changed his way of living due to the strong feeling in him.

2. Powdered spirulina, unpacked from the bag.

4. Powdered spirulina mixed with juice - it can be mixed with anything. — 4. Powdered spirulina mixed with juice – it can be mixed with anything.

New Uniform Jumpers for Ndii-ini Primary School!

Posted on October 18, 2013March 5, 2014 by Jenn Winter

Students at Ndia-ini Primary School show off their new uniform jumpers!

Imagine the excitement of the the students at Ndii-ini Primary School in Nairobi last month when they arrived at school to find brand new uniform jumpers waiting for them! K.I.D.S. Initiatives of Canada kindly donated the jumpers for the 529 students at Ndii-ini and will continue their support in the future with annual distribution trips.

K.I.D.S. (Kenya Initiative for Development and Sustainability) is a Canadian organization that promotes development, enrichment and sustainable solutions through educational programs and local fundraising in Canada. VICDA is proud to be an international partner of K.I.D.S. Initiative in Kenya and looks forward to their next visit!

Ndii-ini Primary School is located in the Kahawa area of Nairobi and has been in operation since the 1950’s. VICDA has worked with the school since 2009 and regularly places volunteers there. If you are interested in volunteering with VICDA at Ndii-ini, please refer to the volunteer page. K.I.D.S. Initiatives is always looking at new projects to support in order to meet the schools needs. If you would like to support their efforts, please refer to their website.

Spirulina Project

Posted on July 22, 2013October 18, 2013 by Jenn Winter

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that is grown in shallow water and offers numerous nutritional benefits. Since May one of VICDA’s projects has been growing and harvesting this algae in order to help deliver sustainable nutrition to children in VICDA’s many projects. Through this project, VICDA hopes to assist up to 50,000 people this year.

Quick facts about spirulina:

Spirulina possesses nutritional qualities of both plant and animal proteins but lacks cellulose so it is easily assimilated into the body.
Fresh spirulina contains the most protein of any substance known to man – 20 times more than beef, 20 times more than soy and 40 times more than corn.
When harvested spirulina is like a green paste and can either be consumed that way or can be dried and consumed in capsules.
Spirulina consumed 5-6 tons of carbon dioxide per hectare and emits over 16 tons of oxygen annually. It also doesn’t require soil to grow, making it an ideal crop for communities with limited resources and increased population.
Though spirulina requires water to grow, it uses significantly less water than other crops and once the harvested the water can be collected and reused.

VICDA is very excited about this new, self-sustaining project. It will supply quality nutrition to so many hungry, malnourished children. In addition to being a good source of protein and nutrition, spirulina has been shown to boost immune systems, fight common illnesses and ailments such as anemia, acidosis and cataracts and has been shown to lower risks of strokes and cancer.

More information about the health benefits of spirulina can be found here.

Supporting VICDA and Looking Stylish!

Posted on January 29, 2013January 29, 2013 by Jenn Winter

The mission of Hidden Baby is simple. They believe that “fashion should be about creating beauty and social change. Every Hidden Baby product has a baby hidden within the design to represent babies hidden from society’s sight.” A portion of the profits from all Hidden Baby sales is, then, donated to an organization that helps abandoned and forgotten children around the world. The Hidden Baby story is one of sisters coming together and merging their talents to create a fashion line that isn’t only unique and beautiful, but also sheds light on real life Hidden Babies. Founders Kelsey the artist and Courtney the activist, the sisters behind the line, were first inspired after visiting Happy Life Orphanage, in Kenya.

Happy Life Children’s Home is an orphanage located on the outskirts of Nairobi. VICDA has been supporting this incredible project for several years by placing GVN Volunteers at the project, providing food, healthcare, baby clothes and toys. Happy Life’s vision is to provide a caring home for abandoned babies in Kenya with the ultimate goal of adopting these children out to loving new parents. There is a spirit of love and joy at Happy Life and the amazing staff and volunteers work hard to create a feeling of family for the children in residence.

Almost all of the babies at Happy Life Children’s Home were abandoned and rescued and delivered to the orphanage and many of the babies at Happy Life were born premature and abandoned in Nairobi area hospitals. Because of this, several children at Happy Life require special medical treatment and regular doctor visits. This is an added cost to caring for children, and something that VICDA and their partners have assisted with in the past. Read more about the adorable little residents of Happy Life. Also take a moment to read about Niamh’s experience volunteering at Happy Life Children’s Home through VICDA.

Through the end of February, Hidden Baby has committed to donating 10% of their profits directly to Happy Life Children’s Home. Kelsey explains the reasons behind this decision on the Hidden Baby Blog. Many of the Hidden Baby items would make excellent Valentine’s Day gifts. And remember, every purchase made is also a gift to Happy Life Children’s Home and supports these real life Hidden Babies.