This week marks the first anniversary of the commencement of Familia Moja Children's Centre (FMCC).
For all us involved in FMCC, it fills us with a sense of achievement to know that the first year has gone by smoothly and that all the children are healthier and safer due to the care they are receiving at Familia Moja.
I would like to share with you a little bit of what this first year of Familia Moja Children's Centre has involved....
In August-07 an orphanage located in Nairobi named St Otiep Orphanage & Education Centre closed down, in the wake of this Wambui Muiru and myself (Jess White) decided to start our own orphanage.
We chose to start the orphanage in the village where her family comes from called Mang'u; so that the children of St Otiep were not abandoned and also we could help orphans from the Mang'u community. Plus we felt it would be healthier and safer environment to raise the children rather than the hustle and bustle of Nairobi.
The name "Familia Moja" was chosen as it means "One Family" in Swahili.
During its first year as an orphanage FMCC has undergone a number of staff changes, Wambui Muiru (Founder/Director) has worked tirelessly during the whole period to ensure we have the right staff providing, the right care for the children of FMCC.
Since January we have employed an amazing lady named Hannah who is the Matron for the children. Since April we have employed Njeri (she is an auntie of some of the children) to help Hannah with all the chores around the orphanage. And since May we have employed Pauline a qualified social worker to provide the much needed one on one time with the children to help them through the difficulty of losing parents.
Together with Wambui these wonderful Kenyan women are ensuring that the children of FMCC are healthy, happy and enjoying life.
All of the children attend a local government primary school, with a number of the children excelling in their respective year levels. Term two results were released a couple of weeks ago (they have three school terms per year) and we are very proud to see that a third of the FMCC children are in the top 10 in their class, with most of the FMCC children improving on their marks from the previous term. Two of kids received trophies from the school for being the top of their year!
Their improvement in their schooling can be attributed to a number of things; primarily living in a stable environment, enjoying a healthy diet and the tuition they receive.
We are always looking at ways to improve the care we provide and to ensure that our future plans come to fruition. The short-term plan is to continue to provide food, shelter, education, clothing and love and care for the current 24 children aged 5 to 14. This at present costs approx. AUD$80 per child per month.
Long-term plans are to purchase land and build a permanent home for the orphanage. This land will hopefully be large enough to plant fruit trees and vegetables, farm cows and chickens and set-up income generating projects which would take steps to helping FMCC become self funded and sustainable. These steps will enable FMCC in the long run expand its facilities and increase the number of orphans in its care.
If you would like to become involved with Familia Moja Children's Centre as a donor, a child sponsor, help organise a fundraiser or even just to visit the orphanage to volunteer and play with the kids, don't hesitate to talk to us, as we are always looking for help.
If you'd like any more information on the orphanage or the children please feel free to contact myself.
Asante Sana
Jess White
Director/Founder
Familia Moja Children's Centre
17th September 2008
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