FAQ

When was Familia Moja started?

September 2007

Where is Familia Moja?

Familia Moja is located in Central Province, Gatundu North District in a town called Mangu. Which is approximately 65km north east of Nairobi in Kenya.

Who started Familia Moja?

A Kenyan woman named Wambui Muiru started the children's centre with the help of James Woodward and Jess White who are both from Australia.

Wambui oversees the day to day running of the children's centre, and meets with the board of directors every three months to discuss the development of the children's centre.

Jess White is still involved as a development partner at the centre.

How was the children's centre started?

The children's centre started due the closure of an children's centre in Nairobi. Wambui did all the legwork on the ground, whilst James and Jess financed the children's centre with help from friends and family in Australia.

We decided to start Familia Moja in a rural area of Kenya where Wambui's family live because we felt it would be a safer environment for the children to be raised. Plus the community of Mangu did not have a children's centre and since the inception of Familia Moja we have taken in a number of children from the community, with the majority of the children now from the area.

The name "Familia Moja" was chosen as it means "One Family" in Kiswahili.

Is Familia Moja registered as an children's centre?

At the end of 2008, FMCH received its registration as a children's home in Kenya with official certification arriving in early 2009. This means that FMCH has proved to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development to be providing a safe, healthy living environment for the children in its care.

This is a significant achievement as many children's centres in Kenya do not pass the regulations required to be a registered children's centre, which include the following checks:

All staff employed by FMCH are required to have a Good Conduct Certificate to work with children, with this certificate to be renewed every 12 months.

• The children have a balanced and nutritious diet.

• The children's centre keeps clear and transparent records of donations received and expenditure.

• Every child has their own bed to sleep in.

• The children's centre is a safe environment and provides adequate security to keep intruders out.

Does Familia Moja take volunteers?

Yes. Familia Moja can host volunteers for any period of time, we will arrange for you to live with a local family in Mangu. Volunteers assist in the day to day running of the children's centre i.e. cleaning, cooking, and tutoring the children. They can also volunteer at the local government primary school and local medical clinic. As we have recently purchase a plot of land, volunteers will be assisting Familia Moja in the development of income generating projects, farming and other activities.

Where does Familia Moja receive it's financial support? How can I donate money and/or sponsor a child?

Familia Moja receives funding from it's Board of Directors and development partners; Jess White, Sandra Steiger, and Katrin Haag.

I have no money but still want to help, how can I help?

There are many other ways you can help Familia Moja including:

• Organise a fundraising event for the children's centre

• Spread the word about the children's centre

• Donate children's clothing, books and education material

Are donations made to the children's centre tax deductible?

Donations are not tax deductible due the strict guidelines placed on Charitable organisations in Australia, the UK and the US which prohibits organisations supporting the running costs of a children's centre from claiming tax deductibility status.

How much of the donated funds go directly to the children of Familia Moja?

100% of all donations go directly towards the running of Familia Moja.

What guarantees are there that the money does in fact reach the children?

Familia Moja keeps detailed records of all expenditure, these recrods are audited on a yearly basis to meet the guidelines set out as a children's home in Kenya.

What is the general health of the children and do they have access to medical facilities?

The children's health needs are a top priority of the centre, with kids having regular dental and medical check ups. The children are given appropriate clothing and plenty of food.

Now, all our kids own at least one pair of shoes which is a first for some of them.

Presently, all the children are in great health and we plan to make sure they continue to thrive, staying healthy and active.

How do you ensure a safe living environment for the children?

In accordance with Kenyan laws governing children's homes, Family Moja ensure that each staff member has a government approved Good Conduct Certificate before starting employment and must have this renewed every 12 months. There is a strict child protection policy which must be followed by all staff, and volunteers.

What happens to the children when they finish primary school?

At this stage our oldest is in her final year of Primary School. Upon completion of Primary School all children will further their education either by attending secondary school and/or vocational training.

Can the children be adopted?

The children cannot be adopted. Many of our children still have a living guardian, who whilst unable to look after another child due sickness or a large family, would not want their ward to be taken away. We respect every child's ties to their family, tribe and country.

What do they learn at school?

Kenyan primary schools follow a format of education not too dissimilar to the United Kingdom and Australia, with Mathematics, English, Science, Social Studies and religious education being offered in addition Kiswahili is also taught. All classes are taught in English except for Kiswahili.

Since arrving at the centre we have seen a sharp improvement in the children's grades, a trend we hope will continue. We have even had a few of them receive academic awards for being top of their class!

What happened to most of their parents?

Some of the children are single orphans (one parent has passed away) but most are double orphans (both parents have passed away). The main cause of their deaths is HIV/AIDS, it is an epidemic that Kenya is still struggling to control. Other health risks include Malaria and Tuberculosis, which have also impacted the lives of our kids.

Are the children with parents or relatives able to visit?

Yes, we ensure that each of the kids spends at least 3 weeks of the year visiting their guardians in their home town. We have also made an event of bringing the family friends and relatives to visit the children. We feel it is important for those children with relatives to know that they have family that do care for them and love them.

Familia Moja contact details?

Familia Moja Children's Home

PO Box 83

Gatukuyu, Thika

Kenya

Wambui Muiru

Founder and Executive Director of Familia Moja Children's Home

 

Familia Moja Development partners include:

Jess White

Founder / Development Partner - Based in Melbourne, Australia

Sandra Steiger

Development Partner - Based in Geneva, Switzerland

 

Katrin Haag

Development Partner - Based in Berlin, Germany

 

Samuel Gichuki

Development Partner - Based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

 

For general information please write to info@familiamoja.org and your enquiry will be forwarded to the most appropriate person.