Kenya

Since March 2004, Jubilee has been supporting an orphan program in the Diocese of Maseno North, in western Kenya. Maseno is a rural, densely populated area of small farms and villages. Situated right on the equator, the surrounding countryside is verdant and lovely; however, poverty and illness are rampant. The HIV prevalence rate in this part of Kenya is at least 18%, probably much higher. There are 44 Anglican parishes in the diocese; each parish includes 5 churches, which have about 600-700 members each.

The effect of the HIV/AIDS crisis has been devastating in this diocese. Within the 44 parishes of Maseno, there are probably 19,000 orphans. Most of these children live with guardians, who may be grandparents, aunts, uncles or neighbors. Most guardians have many other children to care for and do not have enough resources to feed their own families well.

In response to the crisis, the women of the diocese, who are called the Mothers Union, organized to address the problem as best they can. Making use of extremely limited resources, they initiated programs in a number of parishes that provide food, medicine, and activities for the children. The orphan program takes place on Saturdays at the churches.

The Diocese of Massachusetts began supporting the Maseno Orphan Program in 2004, through a request from 2 Episcopal missionaries working in Maseno, Nancy and Gerry Hardison. Gerry is a physician and is director of the local Anglican hospital. Nan is the principal at the Anglican seminary there. Our diocese, through Jubilee, has provided funding for the beans and rice that are fed to the children each week. For many of the children, this is the one nutritious, high-protein meal they can count on during the week. The program has been growing, as word has spread through the community and the number of children needing help has increased. At the 4 parishes receiving support from the Diocese of Massachusetts, there are about 1600 children who show up each week. Many of them are malnourished and sick; some are seriously compromised with AIDS and TB, others have more minor and easily treatable illnesses.

In 2005 our diocese provided further support to the Maseno Orphan Program through funding to start a medical clinic for the orphans. This, too, has been growing as word has spread. Children and adults alike have been lining up on Saturdays to receive medicine, advice and referrals from Dr. Hardison and his team. In summer of 2005, through a partnership we established with Harvard Medical School, two medical students will travel to Maseno to help with the orphan clinic, called Orphealth First.

The Maseno Orphan Program is a testament to how we can support our brothers and sisters in Christ who are living with the crisis of HIV/AIDS every day. It is a grassroots program that was started by church women. They continue to make it happen every week, volunteering their own time and resources. They have been tremendously grateful for our financial support, as well as our visits to Maseno. This is a remarkable program that much potential to be further developed.