WWA works with grass roots community organizations and community based religious organizations serving orphans and special needs children, like Soeurs Amies des pauvres. The need for compassionate care with vulnerable children is overwhelming, particularly in post-conflict and severely deprived areas. Sadly, resources channeled toward this purpose may not always find their way to children, but be used in large project overhead, foreign office administration, transportation...etc. WWA sends funds directly to community the vetted leaders we work with for their programs and children. We work closely with our community leaders and do not have a need to support an independent foreign office infrastructure, nor do we “second guess” what successful community leaders show us is working in their community.
Got milk? You had better if over 3,600 children are in your care.
Children of God Relief Institute-(COGRI) Nyumbani has been caring for HIV/AIDS positive and affected children since its inception in 1992. Founded by Fr. D’Agostino and Sister Mary Owens (who is the current Executive Director and a community leader who inspires us at WWA), Nyumbani continues to provide inspirational and visionary leadership. COGRI-Nyumbani is at the forefront of caring for pediatric HIV/AIDS affected children in Africa and on advocating for the equal rights inherently granted to all children, regardless of health status, as a guarantee that they will grow into contributing adults.
Nyumbani serves children through 3 programs: Nyumbani Home - where approximately 100 HIV+ children live and grow to adulthood. Lea Toto - home based community outreach medical and social services for approximately 3,000 HIV+ children and their caretakers. Nyumbani Village - a 1,000 acre agrarian settlement in rural Kenya where groups of children orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic are paired with destitute grandparents in a farming community environment.
Community Health Workers (CHW) are volunteers who help the sick in their neighborhoods. CHWs are the “eyes, ears and outreach” of the the community clinic. They typically receive training in first aid, basic counseling skills and how to give many of the medicines to patients in their homes. They prepare food for patients, clean their house or may run errands for sick patients, as needed. WWA proudly supports a particularly special group of Community Health Workers, whose compassion and leadership are the inspiration for our organization.
A team of medical student community leaders, concerned with rising HIV rates on campus, created an organization to stop prostitution on campus (SPAC). The students strategically focused their first efforts on assisting the economic victims of prostitution, the women, offering to help them find an alternative way of life. The women formed a registered cooperative and called it Those Committed to Change. SPAC launched a second wave campaign to educate prostitute patrons on the consequences of their actions. Although there are still many obstacles to overcome, the women share that they have hope for a better life, for the first time in many years.
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WWA is proud to be working with inspiring community leaders in East and Central Africa whose vision transforms the lives of the communities they serve. Courageous and pioneering, the leaders we support often face opposition from the surrounding public, who may not see the needs of one group as particularly important. Undaunted by the apathy, or resistance, these remarkable individuals continue to serve and advocate for a brighter tomorrow.
The circumstances these community leaders work in are resource scarce, often with little or negative governance and policy support. Often, there is no one to turn to for support until the leaders create the path.
We have excluded the identifying details for some of our communities, to protect community members.
Community partnerships are our work.
WWA works internationally with extraordinary grass roots community leaders and supports them in their endeavors toward a brighter future for their people and environment.
To be considered as a WWA community partner there are FOUR levels of criteria.
For details and applications; READ MORE>>>
BECOMING PARTNERS
SPAC & Those Committed to Change
Community Health Workers
COGRI Nyumbani
Soeurs Amies des pauvres (Friendly Sisters of the Poor)
In Kenya’s Northern Territory, one woman decided it was time to stop being afraid. She founded a village with women similarly weary of threats, beatings and ridicule. Together in Unity, they could stand up anything.Today, this village of “Umoja”, meaning “unity”.
UMOJA