THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
The proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child”, is deeply ingrained in the African culture. Neighbourly intervention in a child's misbehaviour is a norm, and children may freely visit neighbours’ homes, and if a family is eating, the child will be warmly welcomed to join the meal, even without an invitation – it doesn’t matter if they prepared enough food or not, they will always have something to share. Resource sharing is an important aspect of communal spirit, prioritizing care irrespective of socioeconomic status. Think of knocking on your neighbour’s door at 8pm to borrow salt.
December 2024 served as a testament to the transformative power of community in action, as individuals from all walks of life and across the world came together at our micro community, Baba Nyumbani in Kitale, Kenya, united in their purpose: to empower orphaned children and at-risk youth to achieve self-sustainability.
It was not just a fundraising event, we were celebrating 20 years since the inception of what was once but a vision – from humble beginnings with not much resources, to abundance and plenty of success stories to be proud of. 20 years of restoring and empowering children and youth. Years of hard work and commitment by our dedicated staff and donors has seen many children and youth blossom. It has been a journey marked by tears, passion, love, laughter, and unwavering hope. We celebrated kids who suffered rejection, malnutrition, abuse, lack of education, no access to medical care, and low esteem because that did not define their future 20 years ago. Today they are empowered nurses, bankers, engineers, teachers, caterers, agriculturalist, plumbers, IT specialists, health officers and so on.
These 20 years were made possible by our friends in-country and around the world. It takes a village – starting from partnering with the government, churches, corporates, and the surrounding community. The December event brought in more partnerships with companies like Bata, KCB, Khetias, local churches and other corporates.
The staff cannot go unrecognized. They have put in the work year in, year out, taking all these children in, raising and guiding them as their own. Sometimes I think parenthood is underrated – it takes a lot of physical strength, sacrifice, and mental stability which our caregivers have been able to demonstrate.
Organizing the first fundraising event ever in Kenya, was a truly rewarding experience for Baba Nyumbani. Witnessing the community come together to support orphaned and at-risk youth was an assurance that humanity is not lost. The generosity and compassion shown by attendees was inspiring. The generous donations and the partnerships formed on that day will directly impact these young lives, providing access to essential resources and opportunities. Thank you to our partners, friends in Kenya and across the world. Together, we will make a difference and empower a brighter future of these deserving children and youth.
Written by: Dorice Lusili