Christmas came early for the destitute children at Nairobi’s Imani Rehabilitation Home when philanthropists mobilised resources to make their Christmas memorable.
The children, from less privileged backgrounds, could not hide their joy when Turing Trust Organisation, Country Director Koome Kiragu delivered an assortment of goodies for the festivities amid ecstatic chants and ululations.
Their joy turned even more special when renown philanthropist Dr. Allan Mugambi joined the entourage with more donations for the destitute children, the majority of whom were picked from the streets.
The visitors freely interacted with the excited children, whom they advised not to lose hope but to remain focused, citing their own personal experiences illustrating how they made it big from humble and underprivileged backgrounds.
Kiragu underscored the importance of supporting the less privileged children in society and, in doing so, will help them to lead dignified lives and access better education.
Turing Trust Organisation, a key donor providing digital learning equipment to pupils in Kenyan schools, is a global charity dedicated to offering IT resources and training to schools across Africa through its implementing partner, Habitat for Humanity Kenya.
Kiragu said food donations are important in uplifting children from such backgrounds, especially this season when they expect to participate in festivities like their counterparts from well-off families.
He expressed satisfaction at seeing children smile while receiving food, adding, “My greatest joy is seeing children smile. When I see them happy, I feel like I have touched their hearts.”
Imani Rehabilitation Home, which was established by Faith Imani, who was then a modeling and fashion artist in Kariobangi, began its operations in the early 1990s with only 15 underprivileged children. The home has been instrumental in molding children and now hosts 350 children, aged from 1 to 18 years.
According to the Operations Director of the Agency, Soita Stephen, the growing population of street children prompted Faith Imani to establish a facility to cater for and educate them. She now refers to it as the “home of many boys and girls” who would otherwise have lived their entire lives on the streets.
Although her dressmaking and modeling business was profitable at the time, the increasing number of children with special needs eventually forced Faith to use her savings to purchase land in Soweto, Kayole, in 1989, where she began raising 15 children, including those of convicts. This led to the establishment of Imani Resort Oloolua in Ngong as a supporting pillar for the growing populations.
The Operations Director divulged that partners, including Femi Organisation, Ford Foundation (partly), TechSoup, and Imani Foundation, have been supporting them. She commended Koome and Mugambi for complementing the good work done by other well-wishers at the Home.
Faith could not hide her joy as she thanked the sponsors for the Christmas gifts, challenging other well-wishers to follow in the footsteps of helping the needy in the society.
“The gesture by Koome and Dr. Mugambi to share the little they have, has made a positive difference to the children and will go a long way in making them happy this season,” she added. The children were equally elated by their gifts, expressing the fact that it was a big surprise.
“Today, we feel very honoured and privileged, and we are deeply grateful to you all,” said an emotional Faith.
Stephen stated that sustainability has become a significant challenge due to their overreliance on well-wishers and donors, as they have not engaged in business or received direct funding. He added that profits from Imani Resort Oloolua in Ngong are insufficient to support the growing population.
He also urged the government to streamline the Social Health Authority (SHA) process, saying that it is not effectively helping children, especially orphans, abandoned, and vulnerable, as they are unable to quickly access health services due to lack of birth certificates.
He urged foster families to accept and nurture children, stating that, “Imani is happy to see children thrive in their care.”
Director pointed out that many successful individuals have passed through the Home, noting that the Alumnae Association, with a membership of 1,500 members worldwide, has been instrumental in supporting those currently in the Home. He added that they have been responsive to the needs of the children.
Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas as a time to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. The festival is also associated with humanitarian gestures as a period to share with the less fortunate in the society.
By Ian Chepkuto
