Community based subsidized placement program of HIV/AIDS orphans in families in their community, rather than placement in orphanages some distance away from their homes.
Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS
The HIV/AIDS pandemic has left millions of African children without parents and homeless. The Imani Project has developed and implemented a Subsidized Orphan Placement Program in the rural villages on the Indian Ocean in Kenya.
There are at least 100 orphans in the Sabaki/Masheheni area.
This summer, Imani Project volunteers registered 100 orphans using the
Orphan Registration Form which includes social and medical history for each child.
Please find below pictures and brief biographies on the priority orphans.
These children have the greatest need for an immediate sponsor.
If you would like to sponsor an orphan ($30/month), you will
receive pictures and updates from the orphan. Imani Project volunteers
will visit these homes on a consistent basis, and oversee the use of
the donations each month. Additionally the donations are tax
deductible, and each donor will receive verification of tax deductible
status and ID# for the Imani Project.
Orphans currently in urgent need of sponsorship:
Lucas Kazungu
is four years old and lost his mother to
pneumonia due to HIV in 2003. He lost a younger
sibling to HIV/AIDS and has no living siblings. Lucas
currently lives with his grandparents in Nmazimoja village.
Sifa Katana
is ten years old. She lost her father to
HIV/AIDS related pneumonia in 2000. Sifa and her two siblings live with
their mother who is ill. Sifa is in Class 4 at
Masheheni Primary and lives in Masheheni village.
Zawadi Tyoya
Zawadi Tyoya is 1 year old and is HIV positive. She lost her father
to AIDS in 2005 and her mother in 2006. Zawadi lives with her
maternal grandparents who make charcoal to support the family. Her
grandmother is blind. They live in Masheheni Village.
Baraka Foleni
is 10 years old. He lost both of his parents to AIDS in
2002. He lost two younger sisters to AIDS as well, both at age 2.
Baraka lives with his aunt who has 6 children of her own and no
husband. She cuts trees to make charcoal to support the family.
Baraka lives in Sabaki and is in Class 2 at Majenjeni Primary School.
Maritah Mwayele
is 9 years old and attends nursery school at Majahazini. She lost her
father to HIV/AIDS in 2005. There are four siblings living in the
home, as well as another sibling who died of HIV/AIDS. Birth mother is
HIV+ and tries to support the family by selling mangoes. The family
lives in Majahazini village.
Kingi Kaingu
is 7 years old and in class1 at Majahazini Primary School. He lives
in Mnazimoja village. Kingi's father died of HIV/AIDS in 2003 and he
lives with six siblings. His mother is 48 years old, and is not well.
She tries to garden to support the family.
Amina Katana
is 8 years old and lives in Kagombani Village where she is in Class 1.
Her father died of HIV/AIDS related illness in 2003. Amina has one
older brother, Rodgers, who is 10 years old. The mother has no work.
George Keah
is a 10 year old boy who attends Barangi Primary where he is in Class
1. He lives in Burangi village. His mother died of HIV/AIDS related
illness in l998. George has one younger sibling. He lives with his
father and grandmother. The father supports the family by farming.
Konde Nzoyu
is a 5 year old boy who lives with his grandmother in Musifini village. Both his parents died
of HIV/AIDS. He has five other siblings living with him. They have no income except for an uncle who
provides a very small amount of money to the family each month.
Jamal Benson
is 4 years old and attends Majenjeni Nursery school. He
lives in Sabaki village. His mother died of HIV/AIDS in 2004, and
father's whereabouts are unknown. No current information on living
situation, but this family in desperate need of a sponsor.
Lemmy Kainga
is 6 years old and lives in Kagombani village. He
attends Kagombani Primary where he is in class 3. He lives with his
mother in Kagombani village. His father died of HIV/AIDS related
illness. Lemmy has two siblings. Mom earns money for the family by
selling vegetables.
Safari Kitsao
is 8 years old and attends Masheheni Primary School
where he is Class 4. His birthfather died of HIV/AIDS in 1992. His
mother is HIV+, but is taking antiretrovirals at the present time.
The family lives with an older brother and 5 other children in the
home. Recently the mother left the family and her whereabouts are
unknown. Kasena, 20 works as a laborer to bring in money for the
family.
Selena Kanze and Janet Neema
are twin girls from Masheheni. They are 6 year old. Their father
died of a heart attack in 2006. He left two wives and a total of 13
children. The family is getting minimal support from the brother of
the deceased husband. (The twins are an exception as they are not
HIV/AIDS orphans but in desperate need of a sponsor).
Suwedi Nzai
is a 6 year old girl who lives in Masheheni village. She
attends a nursery school in Nmazimoja village. Her birth father died
of HIV/AIDS related pneumonia in l999. She has three older siblings.
Her mother who is ill sells vegetables to make money for the family
Zawadi Kitsao
is a 9 year old girl who lives in Sabaki village. Her
mother died in 200l from HIV/AIDS related illness. Zawadi currently
lives with her grandmother. Her father's whereabouts are unknown. He
does not participate in Zawadi's life, nor does he provide any
financial support to the family. Zawadi appears to have some health
problems. (possibly severe learning disabilities)
Baraka Charo
is 12 years old and in Class 3 at Masheheni Primary. His
father drowned in l997. He has two sisters, Shukuri (1 year) and
Fikiri (5 years old). The single mother supports the family by
farming her shamba and selling vegetables. (Baraka is an exception
since he is not an HIV/AIDS orphan, but the family is very poor and in
need of a sponsor)
Margaret Chome
is 13 years old and attends Majenjeni Primary School. She is in Class
5. Her mother died of HIV/AIDS in 2000. Margaret lives with her
blind father and grandfather. She has three siblings and the family
has no income except meager proceeds from farming.
Kahindi Charo
is 9 years old. He is not attending school at the moment as he cannot
afford a uniform. He lives in Sabaki village with his mother. His
father died of Malaria in 1998. He has four siblings at home. The
mother has no work. (Kahindi is not an HIV/AIDS orhan but family is
very poor and in need of a sponsor)
Kaingu Garama
is 14 years old. He lives in Majahazini village where he is in Class
4 at Majahazini Primary. His father died of HIV/AIDS related illness
in 2004. He and his other live with relatives who assist with food.
Simoro Ngaga
is 7 months old. Her father died of HIV/AIDS related pneumonia in
October of 2007. Simoro has three siblings; Sanda (4 years), Jumaa (6
years, and Zenabu (8 years). The mother who is ill but refuses to be
tested for HIV/AIDS is receiving counseling at the Imani Project
office. She sells fish when she can and they have a small shamba
(garden), however food shortage is a major problem for this family.
Kenny Mwalimu
is 8 years of age and attends Msabaha Primary school. Both of his
parents died of HIV/AIDS, the mom is 2003 and the father in 2001.
Kenny is now living with his Uncle who is an Imani Project Volunteer.
There are six children in the house as the uncle has four of his own.
The uncle's wife left him and the family is badly in need of a
sponsor.
These three siblings are being raised by their grandparents since their mother's death from HIV/AIDS in August 2005. This family is now being sponsored by Carol Cummings, and all children are healthy.
Childen orphaned by AIDS are "absorbed" into neighboring families in their village. This type of placement provides emotional and physical stability for the orphan, who has almost certainly suffered tremendous loss and pain already. Subsidized placement also adds to the economic stability of the community; helping families come together to care for those in need, as well as giving a small supplement to the foster family each month. This supplement is not always money, but may be a goat, chicken, mosquito net, soap, seeds, school supplies, etc. The families' overall needs for food, medicine, and clean drinking water are prioritized by Imani Project volunteers. The subsidy given each month is tracked to make sure it is given directly to a responsible caregiver and used for the benefit of the entire family and specifically the orphan.
The process begins with identification of the orphans in the villages who are in need of placement. Many orphans are without a caretaker, but remain as a family unit and the older siblings struggle to care for the younger ones. Older children must drop out of school and try to find employment to support their siblings.
The Subsized placement program is a alternative to moving orphans into orphanages in communities away from their homes, relatives and friends and support system. There are many families in the villages who would very much like to take in an orphan, but cannot manage the added financial burden.
Tumaini and Janet Karabu
Tumaini Julius is the orphan selected for placement in Sabaki Village. Tumaini is a student a Majenjeni Primary School. Tumaini was living in extreme poverty with her stepfather. We have arranged for a Imani Project Volunteer, Janet Karabu to monitor the placement and spend time with Tumaini. Janet also makes sure that the supplements given each month go directly to Tumaini. Although this placement is not ideal, we feel it provides Tumaini with some sense of family, and also consistent contact with a caring, responsible adult (Janet Karabu). Tumani is now sponsored by Nancy Wilson and doing well.
Orphans Currently Sponsored:
Amani Ndoro lost both her mother and father to AIDS in 2003. She is five years old and has three siblings. Amani is currently living with her aunt who sells vegetables and bananas to support the family. Amani is not currently attending pre-school, but would like to do so. She lives in Masheheni village.
Amani Ndoro is currently sponsored by Kathleen Stout.
Amani Nyale is seven years old. He has two siblings and lives with his grandfather who is a farmer. Amani lost his mother to AIDS in 1999, and his father to the same disease in 2001. Amani is a preschooler in Musifini Village nursery program and lives in Masheheni village.
Amani Nyale is currently sponsored by Amy Earhart.
Bahati Nguzo is twelve years of age and has two siblings. The three children live with a caretaker who is quite elderly. Bahati lost his mother to yellow fever and her father to abdominal problems. Bahati is in Class 2 (second grade) at Kagombani Primary School and lives in Kagombani village. (Exception: Bahati is not an HIV/AIDS orphan.)
Bahati Nguzo is currently sponsored by Michelle Budd.
Baraka Gona is fourteen years old and lost both parent to HIV. He now lives with his grandmother, who lost her husband. She has five children who still reside with her, some are older than Baraka and some are younger; none of the children are currently in school. Baraka's grandmother works in other people's shambas (farms) to support the family. Baraka is in Class 3 at Masheheni Primary School and lives in Kipangajeni village.
Baraka Gona is currently sponsored by Jack Cox.
Davis Fondo is twelve years old. His father passed away due to HIV related illness in 1996 and his mother left him and his sister to live with their grandmother. Davis is in Class 2 at Masheheni Primary School, and math is his favorite subject.
Davis Fondo is currently sponsored by David Filer.
Grace Kahindi lost both parents to AIDS, her mother in 2001 and her father in 2002. She and her two sisters live with their aunt who runs a small business to support the family. Grace is in Class 4 at Marikebuni Primary and lives in Musifini village. Grace is 14 years old.
Grace Kahindi is currently sponsored by Beth Rice.
Harun Charo is eleven years of age. both his mother and father succumbed to AIDS in 2004 and 2005 respectively. Harun has three siblings, and all four children live with their grandmother who works to take care of them. Harun is in Class 3 at Kagombani Primary School and lives in Kagombani village.
Harun Charo is currently sponsored by Nabiha Islam.
Kitsao Mwena Kitsao Mwena is a 14 year old boy who fell out of a coconut tree and is a paraplegic. For years he laid on a small cot on the family's porch, unable to move. Kitsao now attends a special school for children with disabilities. The Imani Project is working on acquiring a small wheelchair for Kitsao.
Kitsao Mwena is currently sponsored by Earline Anderson and family.
Kahunda Kaingu is sixteen years of age. She lost her mother to suicide and her father to a car accident. Kahunda lives with her sister Sidi and her three children. Sidi's husband sells milk to support the family. Kahunda is in Class 4 in Masheheni Primary and lives in Masheheni village. (Exception: Kahunda is not an HIV/AIDS orphan.)
Kahunda Kaingu is currently sponsored by Judith Moyer.
Mary Charo is a three year old child who lost both parents to AIDS in 2005. She and her four siblings live with their grandmother who earns a small income selling mangos. Mary is not attending preschool at this time.
Mary Charo is currently sponsored by Sally Miller.
Mwaka Kazungu and her three siblings live with their grandmother. She lost her mother to AIDS, and her father passed away as well. She is thirteen years old. Mwaka is in Class 2 at Majenjeni Primary School and lives in Musifini village.
Mwaka Kazungu is currently sponsored by Jeanie Ogden.
Mwokoli Kazunga is twelve years old and lost both his parents to HIV/AIDS. He lives with a caretaker and five other children. Mwokoli is in Class 5 at Masheheni Primary School and lives in Masheheni village.
Mwokoli Kazunga is currently sponsored by Sam Shank.
Neema Kahindi is twelve years old and lost both parents to HIV, her mother in 2005 and her father in 2004. She and her three siblings live with their grandmother who gets help from relatives to support the children. Neema is in Class 2 at Majahazini Primary School and lives in Majahazini village.
Neema Kahindi is currently sponsored by Rebecca Nelson.
Rehema Kenga is seven years of age. She lost her mother to AIDS in 2002 and her father to the same disease in 2003. She and one sibling live with their grandmother who gets help from relatives to support them. Rehema is in Class 2 at Masheheni Primary School and lives in Masheheni village.
Rehema Kenga is currently sponsored by Sharron Hines.
Rehema Mwaganda lost both parents to AIDS, her mother in 2004 and her father in 2005. Rehema is fifteen years old and has two siblings; they live with their grandmother and receive financial assistance from an uncle. She is in Class 6 at Masheheni Primary School in Kidangajeni village.
Rehema Mwaganda is currently sponsored by Bob Bradley and Torrie Gordon.
Sophia Karisa is fourteen years old. She lost her mother to AIDS in 2005 and her father to cancer in 1994. Sophia has six brothers and two sisters. All nine kids are supported by two family members, one who is a fisherman and one who sells fish. Sophia is in Class 3 at Masheheni Primary School and lives in Masheheni village.
Sophia Karisa is currently sponsored by Dana Smith.
Cillias Mganda is 14 years old and is in Class 6 at Kibokoni Primary School. Cillias and two siblings live with their older brother George in Kibokoni Village. They lost their father to HIV/AIDS in 1991 Mothers whereabouts unknown.
Cillias Mganda is currently sponsored by Nick, Tiffany and Henry Talbott.
Saumu Kasiwr is ten years old and has one older sibling. He lost his mother to AIDS in 2003. Saumu is in Class 2 at Masheheni Primary. He he lives with his 70 year old grandfather who supports the family by farming. They live in Masheheni Village.
Saumu Kasiwr is currently sponsored by Gilhousen Family Foundation.
Sineno Kitsao is 12 years old and in Class 3 at Marikebuni School. She lost her father to AIDS in 2004. Sineo has three siblings ranging in age from 11 to 17. They all live with a relative who is helping with food, the family has no income.
Sineno Kitsao is currently sponsored by Liz Hammond.
Halua Kadzenga is 14 years old and attends Masheheni Primary where she is in Class 5. She lost her mother to HIV/AIDS related pneumonia in 1994, and her father to HIV/AIDS in 1997. Haluwa and her younger sister are taken care of by their older sister Nyeru who also has children of her own. Nyeru supports the family by farming. They live in Masheheni Village.
Halua Kadzenga is currently sponsored by Young Jee and Curran Filer.
Baraka Samini is 11 years old and has one younger brother, Furaha, who is 7. Their father committed suicide in 2002. Baraka and his brother live with their stepfather in Majenjeni Village. Baraka is in Class 3 at Majenjeni School. Mothers whereabouts unknown. (Exception: Baraka is not an HIV/AIDS orphan, but is an orphan in desperate need of a sponsor)
Baraka Samini is currently sponsored by Bob Bradley and Torrie Gordon.
Kavihenzwa Kaingu is 10 years old and lives in Sabaki Village. He lost his mother to AIDS in 2006 and his father to AIDS in 2007. Kavihenzwa and his sister, Shukuran, live with their aunt who has 5 children and no husband. She makes charcoal to support the family. Kavihenzwa does not currently attend school as he needs money for a uniform and books.
Kavihenzwa Kaingu is currently sponsored by Gilhousen Family Foundation.
James Garama is 7 years old and is in need of desperate help. His mother is deceased and his father's whereabouts are unknown. When James was 2 years old he fainted and was sent to the hospital He received medication and has had some paralysis since then. It appears to be Cerebral Palsy. James in unable to walk or talk. He is not able to attend school. James and his brother live with their grandmother and 9 other children. There are 11 children living in the household. His grandmother farms to support the family. James lives in Masheheni Village.
James Garama is currently sponsored by Freddie.
Fikiri Charo is 7 years old. She attends Masheheni Nursery School. Fikiri lost her father in 1998 to HIV/AIDS. Her mother is a cook at Masheheni Primary School. Fikiri has 4 siblings, 3 are living with her. They live in Masheheni Village.
Fikiri Charo is currently sponsored by Kimberlee Sheng.
Rachel Jefwa is 8 years old and in class1 at Masheheni Primary School. Her birthfather was murdered in 2003. She lives with her mother and 6 siblings in Masheheni village. The mother tries to support the family by selling vegetables. This family appears very poor, and would greatly benefit from having a sponsor.
Rachel Jefwa is currently sponsored by Virginia Scott.
Bahati Kitigwa is 9 years old and in Class 3 at Majahazini Primary. He lost his birthmother to HIV/AIDS in 2005. His father is disabled. Bahati and his four silbings live with their grandmother in Mnazimoja village. His face is scarred due to infection. He is a very sweet little boy.
Bahati Kitigwa is currently sponsored by Patricia O'Shea.
Mapenzi George is nine years of age. She and her two siblings live with their uncle and his three children. Mapenzi lost both parents to AIDS. Mapenzi is in Class 2 at Marikebuni Primary School and lives in Mianzini village.
Mapenzi George is currently sponsored by James and Yvonne Lyon.
Karembo Mwambire is 6 years old and in class 1 at Masheheni Primary. Karembo lost both her mother and father to HIV/AIDS in 2003, Karembo and 6 other siblings is live with their Uncle Francis (birthfather's brother).
Karembo Mwambire is currently sponsored by Julie McKinley.
Margaret Kayeka is 4 years olf and is in class 1 at Masheheni Primary School. She lives in Masheheni village with her mother and 6 siblings. Her mother sells tomatoes and vegetables to support the family.
Margaret Kayeka is currently sponsored by Ebony.
Haluwa Charo is from Musifini village and is 11 year old. Her mother died of Aids related illness in l996 and she currently lives with her father who is ill. She has one older sister who is now married and has left the family home, providing no support. Haluwa's dad is unable to find work, he tries to support the family by catching mice and roasting them and selling them for food. Haluwa attends Masheheni Primary School and is in Class three.
Haluwa Charo is currently sponsored by Gilhousen Family Foundation.
Erick Baraka is 2 years old. He lives in Majahazini village. His mother is alive, but is HIV+. Erick's father died of HIV/AIDS in 2004. He has one sibling, Mapenzi, who is nine years old. The mother is too ill to work.
Erick Baraka is currently sponsored by Anonymous.
Helen Rehema is a 3 year old girl from Mambrui. Her father died in a car crash in 2005. The family live with their older brother. Mother sells vegetables to bring in money for the family. (Helen is an exception since she is not an HIV/AIDS orphan but is desperately in need of a sponsor).
Helen Rehema is currently sponsored by James and Yvonne Lyon.
Jaliwa Ndokolani is 9 years old and attends preschool in Nmazimoja village. His father died of HIV/AIDS in l997. Jaliwa lives with four other siblings in Masheheni village. Older brothers support the family by fishing.
Jaliwa Ndokolani is currently sponsored by Janice Ashe.
Sanita Kaingu is 6 years old and attends preschool in Nmazimoja village. Her father died of HIV/AIDS in 2004 and her mother is HIV+. She has four siblings. The mother has no work.
Sanita Kaingu is currently sponsored by Fred and Helen McNaughton.
Dama Children
Dama Children are currently sponsored by Carol Cummings.
Tumani Julius
Tumani Julius is currently sponsored by Nancy Wilson.
Samuel Marcy is seven years old and lives in Masheheni Village. He attends Masheheni Primary School. His and his sibling, Eunice, live with their grandparents. Their mother, who was an Imani Project volunteer, died of AIDS two years ago. The father's whereabouts are unknown.
Samuel Marcy is currently sponsored by Janice Ashe.