Nyumbani Scotland is one of many projects supported by clubs throughout RIBI. The charity’s volunteers fundraise all year round to provide education, healthcare, support and a brighter future for orphans and abandoned Kenyan youngsters who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Far from being a mere fundraising group, Nyumbani is hands-on with volunteers making regular trips to Kenya to take on jobs themselves. Next month, 12 volunteers are going out to work with and for HIV positive orphans at Nyumbani Home and its many satellite projects.
On the to-do list is the building of more shelters for families to cook under in the traditional manner in Nyumbani village, a complete eco village in the bush east of Nairobi currently home to 800 orphans and 80 or so grandparents. They will also refurbish the Kawangware slum clinic, one of eight around Nairobi’s slum and do anything else required. This is a tremendous chance for those first timers to gain firsthand knowledge of how these children live their lives both in the privileged shelter of Nyumbani Home and the utter desperation of the largest slum in sub-Saharan Africa.
It is thanks to the generosity of Rotary clubs throughout Great Britain and Ireland that these youngsters have hope and support. When children are accepted either in to Nyumbani Home, Nyumbani Village or the Lea Toto Programme, they know that they have hope for a healthy future, hope for an education, hope for a job, a normal life and joy that they will be loved and cared for despite the stigma of HIV/AIDS. These things should be a right for each and every child no matter their health status.
A new state-of-the-art diagnostic laboratory was opened last August in Nyumbani Home and also serves the surrounding hospitals. Fundraising this year is for medical equipment for it and also for ten computers for the Rotary Quiet Room in Lawson High school in the village. Donations from clubs which would help reach the target of £15,000 before February are greatly appreciated.
This is the tenth trip for Rotarian Alison Stedman, Rotary Club of Arbroath: "Each and every time I arrive at Nyumbani, I feel so privileged to be there, to be given the chance to help in any way I can. I look at the permanent staff and realise the dedication and love they have for these children, who are in this desperate situation through no fault of their, own is unsurpassable.
"The majority of our children in UK are so lucky. If I can encourage even just one young person to take up the cause, I shall be forever happy. The way out of poverty is education and this is given in shed loads through Nyumbani. The children themselves realise education is more important than silver and gold and soak it up like sponges given the chance."
If you would like to know more about Nyumbani or the many other RIBI supported organisations, visit the Opportunities to Serve pages or contact your local Rotary club.
