ABBA SELF HELP GROUP
I first visited Kenya in 2005. That was my introduction to the country. As part of the activities on the trip, there was a hospital wing dedication at the Melchizedek Hospital in Nairobi. It was at that dedication I met a local family and we became friends over the following months via email. This meeting started a journey that has lasted until now, 2015.
I returned to Kenya, this time on my own, in 2006 and it was then I met Emmanuel, who was my driver/tour guide in Kisumu. A few days later, he introduced me to his wife, Silivia, who was working in another city. We became friends right there and then. The Abba Self Help group was started in 2007 when I returned to again visit Silivia, Emmanuel and friends I'd met previously. I came to know that Silivia and Emmanuel's actual ancestral land was in the South Nyanza region of Kenya.
That Nyanza Province has a staggering HIV prevalence rate of 15 percent, which is double the national average for Kenya. Homa Bay (30 minute drive) and other communities that are located on Lake Victoria are thought to have an even higher infection rate than this.
In 2007, we sent funds for a start-up business for Emmanuel's mothers for selling maize flour. This was the unofficial start of the Abba Self Help Group. Also, in an effort to boost the income of Silivia and Emmanuel, a fundraiser was held in Cambridge, MA and Los Angeles, CA to purchase a posho mill. We were successful in doing so, and this component was added to the Abba. This purchase was done with the intention of providing a business to for Emmanuel and Silivia to enable them to live together as a family, with the children and extended family, and enjoy their family and not live husband in one city and wife in another. This was made possible by the generosity of a few individuals here in America, by God's grace.
As Emmanuel and Silivia would indicate other needs in the community, our small group would hold fundraisers to help in whatever way we could. From time to time we purchased mosquito nets, had net-dipping and deworming events for the community, and also started after school tutoring sessions.
Our mission for the children and widows is from James 1:27--
”Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God, our Father, means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.”
I returned to Kenya, this time on my own, in 2006 and it was then I met Emmanuel, who was my driver/tour guide in Kisumu. A few days later, he introduced me to his wife, Silivia, who was working in another city. We became friends right there and then. The Abba Self Help group was started in 2007 when I returned to again visit Silivia, Emmanuel and friends I'd met previously. I came to know that Silivia and Emmanuel's actual ancestral land was in the South Nyanza region of Kenya.
That Nyanza Province has a staggering HIV prevalence rate of 15 percent, which is double the national average for Kenya. Homa Bay (30 minute drive) and other communities that are located on Lake Victoria are thought to have an even higher infection rate than this.
In 2007, we sent funds for a start-up business for Emmanuel's mothers for selling maize flour. This was the unofficial start of the Abba Self Help Group. Also, in an effort to boost the income of Silivia and Emmanuel, a fundraiser was held in Cambridge, MA and Los Angeles, CA to purchase a posho mill. We were successful in doing so, and this component was added to the Abba. This purchase was done with the intention of providing a business to for Emmanuel and Silivia to enable them to live together as a family, with the children and extended family, and enjoy their family and not live husband in one city and wife in another. This was made possible by the generosity of a few individuals here in America, by God's grace.
As Emmanuel and Silivia would indicate other needs in the community, our small group would hold fundraisers to help in whatever way we could. From time to time we purchased mosquito nets, had net-dipping and deworming events for the community, and also started after school tutoring sessions.
Our mission for the children and widows is from James 1:27--
”Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God, our Father, means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.”
ABBA INTEGRATED SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
Initially, before the purchase of the Abba Integrated School, a fundraiser was held again in California to start an after school tutoring learning center. When I returned to Kenya, with those funds books were purchased. This learning center was the forerunner to the Abba Integrated School. In 2010, when the original owner of the school wanted to sell, another fundraiser was held. With the generosity of the attendees there and also individuals in California, were able to wire funds to Emmanuel and Silivia to purchase the school. The ECD (early childhood development) was opened in 2009, but the registration and expansion to class four was realized in January of 2010.
There are 300 pupils enrolled from ECD (early childhood development) up to class eight. About sixty of these students are attending Abba free of charge, with more children attending on reduced fees. The fees for the school are less expensive than other private schools in the surrounding area, with the hope of making it an affordable option for the farmers’ children.
Abba Integrated School of Excellence is registered as a social-private school, because our intent was/is to elevate the members of the community, and improve the surrounding area.
Our school motto is...We Study, God Approves, as written in 2 Timothy 2:15.
There are 300 pupils enrolled from ECD (early childhood development) up to class eight. About sixty of these students are attending Abba free of charge, with more children attending on reduced fees. The fees for the school are less expensive than other private schools in the surrounding area, with the hope of making it an affordable option for the farmers’ children.
Abba Integrated School of Excellence is registered as a social-private school, because our intent was/is to elevate the members of the community, and improve the surrounding area.
Our school motto is...We Study, God Approves, as written in 2 Timothy 2:15.
ABBA ORPHAN SUPPORT PROGRAM
Abba Self Help Group was started partly because I came to know there were orphans who were not eating on a regular basis and no adult to care for them. We decided to start a feeding program for these children. The original group was 12, as I remember.
There are many children in the area who are partial (missing one parent) or total (missing both parents) orphans due to losing family members to HIV. In 2007, while visiting the Silivia and Emmanuel, I took permission from them to start a feeding program on their property to support the children. This expanded to providing the children with onsite housing and clothing on the Abba Compound. In 2008, hostels were constructed to sleep these girls and boys to reside on the Abba compound.
In 2008, it was decided that in addition to housing and feeding the children, the children would be educated as well and they were enrolled in school and they were sent to public schools in the area.
There are many children in the area who are partial (missing one parent) or total (missing both parents) orphans due to losing family members to HIV. In 2007, while visiting the Silivia and Emmanuel, I took permission from them to start a feeding program on their property to support the children. This expanded to providing the children with onsite housing and clothing on the Abba Compound. In 2008, hostels were constructed to sleep these girls and boys to reside on the Abba compound.
In 2008, it was decided that in addition to housing and feeding the children, the children would be educated as well and they were enrolled in school and they were sent to public schools in the area.
ABBA CLINIC
There is a government dispensary thirty minutes (walking) away from where Abba Self Help Group is located, and if you are in need of maternity or surgical services, you must travel even further. Silivia, one of the founders of Abba Self Help Group, is a registered nurse. When she first moved back to West Kochia with Emmanuel, she was dispensing drugs to the community (mostly for Malaria, Pneumonia) from their home, Silivia and Emmanuel felt the community could be better served if she left her employment and opened a local home-based clinic so in 2008, with funds from well-wishers in California. In 2010, with funds from donors and friends, a small clinic structure was built. Silivia is a certified midwife, and has helped mothers in her clinic when they could not reach another facility. All of the government clinics that are in the area charge a registration fee to patients, but Silivia only charges them for the care or drugs that they receive. She also provides medical care for the students and orphans in Abba School.
Silivia trained at a large, mission hospital in the dental unit. She became certified in dentistry, and now does many tooth extractions for people in the surrounding area. The closest facility that removes and cares for teeth is about a thirty minute drive (300 shillings round trip, approximately $4.00 U.S.) from West Kochia, so if people have problems they come directly to Silivia’s clinic. She performs about five tooth extractions per day, and more come for treatment of malaria and pneumonia. The future plan is to expand the small clinic into a larger one that would cater specifically to dental patients and delivering mothers.
Abba clinic also takes medical services to people who are located in places that are far from other medical care. They network with other local groups and medical facilities, and bring much needed services (dentists, ophthalmologists) to the surrounding community.
Silivia trained at a large, mission hospital in the dental unit. She became certified in dentistry, and now does many tooth extractions for people in the surrounding area. The closest facility that removes and cares for teeth is about a thirty minute drive (300 shillings round trip, approximately $4.00 U.S.) from West Kochia, so if people have problems they come directly to Silivia’s clinic. She performs about five tooth extractions per day, and more come for treatment of malaria and pneumonia. The future plan is to expand the small clinic into a larger one that would cater specifically to dental patients and delivering mothers.
Abba clinic also takes medical services to people who are located in places that are far from other medical care. They network with other local groups and medical facilities, and bring much needed services (dentists, ophthalmologists) to the surrounding community.
ABBA SUPPORT
In my visits to Kenya, I noticed there were no programs for the elderly. I asked Silivia and Emmanuel to identify a group of elderly widows for the purpose of providing them with
maize flour as money came available. The people in our small group in California and Massachusetts were very positive about helping the elderly and another component to the Abba Self Help Group was born...feeding elderly women. The ladies were very much appreciative.
On this same visit, I was actually able to visit them in their homes. It really was a nice time. I noticed the ladies were in need of new clothing and it was decided these ladies should receive the clothing as they were very much in need.
Presently, 25 senior citizens over the age of 85 are in the group, some suffering with leprosy and some with dementia. We provide the widows with monthly flour rations for themselves and the grandchildren they care for; and clothing and home improvements periodically as needed. Our group was, and continues to be, happy to assist. Their grandchildren attend Abba School free of charge. When medical problems arise and the seniors are homebound, Silivia visits them to provide medical care and support. We look forward to assisting more elderly citizens in the future. Meet some of our seniors at these websites and hear/see their appreciation to our donors...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd-4pLPgvaA,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJe780oDjsI&feature=relmfu and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCkdxRLAIfw&feature=relmfu.
maize flour as money came available. The people in our small group in California and Massachusetts were very positive about helping the elderly and another component to the Abba Self Help Group was born...feeding elderly women. The ladies were very much appreciative.
On this same visit, I was actually able to visit them in their homes. It really was a nice time. I noticed the ladies were in need of new clothing and it was decided these ladies should receive the clothing as they were very much in need.
Presently, 25 senior citizens over the age of 85 are in the group, some suffering with leprosy and some with dementia. We provide the widows with monthly flour rations for themselves and the grandchildren they care for; and clothing and home improvements periodically as needed. Our group was, and continues to be, happy to assist. Their grandchildren attend Abba School free of charge. When medical problems arise and the seniors are homebound, Silivia visits them to provide medical care and support. We look forward to assisting more elderly citizens in the future. Meet some of our seniors at these websites and hear/see their appreciation to our donors...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd-4pLPgvaA,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJe780oDjsI&feature=relmfu and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCkdxRLAIfw&feature=relmfu.
OUR WIDOWS NOW ENJOY ASSISTED LIVING ARRANGEMENTS
In April 2013, we started construction on the assisted living home for five of the elderly widows who live alone, who are a part of the Abba Self Help Group, without grandchildren to care of. It was the talk of the village residents. There are a very few like facilities in the area and one must be in position to pay for these services, just as one must do here. Our arrangement is unique, however, in that there is no cost to the ladies.
Our plan is to construct a second assisted living home for the remaining seven ladies. When we are able to relocate the ladies, they will no longer live alone and be at risk.
Our plan is to construct a second assisted living home for the remaining seven ladies. When we are able to relocate the ladies, they will no longer live alone and be at risk.
GRANDMOTHERS VISIT THEIR NEW ASSISTED LIVING HOUSE
The second house has been completed, by God's grace. The remaining widows have moved in and are enjoying each other's company. They no longer live alone. They are cared for, food prepared and they are enjoying a life they may not have thought possible. We are very happy for these ladies who have, no doubt, had a pretty hard life heretofore.
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So, in the end, what started out to be a simple helping hand to Emmanuel's mothers, a feeding program for a small group of orphans, a simple learning center to help children with school homework and the desire to see a young couple be able to live together with their children and extended family has grown so much since 2006 and evolved into the Abba Self Help Group of today. The Abba Integrated School of Excellence is thriving. The elderly widows are enjoying life. The posho mill goes on as does other income-generating ventures. And the children who once were seeming castaways are now thriving.
First and foremost, I give all honor, praise and glory to God for allowing me to meet Emmanuel and Silivia, as well as those in Kisumu and Intinyika. He allowed us to be helpers together with Him. I am Cheryl, and would like to give special thanks and appreciation to sustaining contributors Gloria Thompson, Dr. Joyce E. Jeffers, of Bright Morning Star Missions, Norma Eason and many others. The Abba Self Help Group could not have reached the heights of today without the financial assistance of these contributors here in America.
As the Abba Self Help Group in Kochia has matured, our group has turned our sights to helping women, who are heads-of-household, trying to sustain their families.
I returned to Kenya in 2015 and 2016 and our project continues to thrive by the grace of God. I deep appreciation and gratitude to those who prayed for our Abba Self Help Group.
First and foremost, I give all honor, praise and glory to God for allowing me to meet Emmanuel and Silivia, as well as those in Kisumu and Intinyika. He allowed us to be helpers together with Him. I am Cheryl, and would like to give special thanks and appreciation to sustaining contributors Gloria Thompson, Dr. Joyce E. Jeffers, of Bright Morning Star Missions, Norma Eason and many others. The Abba Self Help Group could not have reached the heights of today without the financial assistance of these contributors here in America.
As the Abba Self Help Group in Kochia has matured, our group has turned our sights to helping women, who are heads-of-household, trying to sustain their families.
I returned to Kenya in 2015 and 2016 and our project continues to thrive by the grace of God. I deep appreciation and gratitude to those who prayed for our Abba Self Help Group.