A non-profit Organization
working to enhance and support the health & wellbeing of families affected by extreme poverty & HIV/AIDS in Kenya.
WHO WE ARE
Pamoja Care works to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals and families affected by extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in Kenya.
We believe all lives have value. Our programs of support and empowerment provide the tools this vulnerable population needs to live a healthy and productive life at home and within their communities. PAMOJA means TOGETHER in ‘Swahili’ language. This mirrors our spirit of collaboration, which is critical to our mission since the organization is incorporated in Massachusetts but the work is based in Kenya.
We are dedicated to building partnerships with community leaders, local schools, and other stakeholders invested in care and well being of people to support, nurture, and empower those we serve.
AREAS OF FOCUS
According to UNICEF data, by 2017, approximately 9.5million Kenyan children under the age of 18 were living in poverty. Approximately 2.6 million among them are orphans and vulnerable children, a majority of whom are orphaned by HIV/AIDS disease. In many cases, when children lose one or both parents, they are left destitute.
This is because the immediate family and relatives may also be living in poverty and unable to provide for themselves or an extra person. In other cases, children are left alone to care for themselves leaving them vulnerable. Some drop out of school and turn to the streets to scavenge for food where they are exposed to child abuse, exploitation, and drugs.
Pamoja’s goal is to offer home based support to vulnerable and orphaned children. We do this through provision of;
- Basic school supplies and fees
- School uniforms and back packs
- Secondary school scholarships
- Clothing and shoes
- Home based food baskets distribution
- Other necessary social supports.
Kenyan women are disproportionately affected by poverty and HIV/AIDS. According to the government’s 2018 population based HIV impact assessment (KENPHIA) report, HIV/AIDS prevalence among women was twice that of men at 6.6% and 3.1% respectively. Young women especially were twice more likely to acquire HIV than the male counterparts of the same age. Culturally, Kenyan and African women in general tend to be natural caretakers of their households. Although many of them don’t have formal education, they are the backbone of rural economies.
Still, several factors that affect women including gender inequalities, unequal power relations, harmful, and cultural practices continue to diminish women’s voices and decision making power within the household, leaving them impoverished and vulnerable. Pamoja recognizes that empowering women and girls puts them on a path to achieving self reliance and awareness. Socioeconomic empowerment creates sustained increase in income, better health and education outcomes.
It affords them an opportunity to gain employability and self-sufficiency which can ultimately break the cycle of poverty. Pamoja Care is committed to women and youth empowerment through;
- Creation of income generating programs.
- Support for Girls education
- Mentorship for young women
- Promotion of sexual and reproductive health
- Mental health support.
According to the Kenya population and census data, by 2019, three quarters of the population was younger than 35 years. Unfortunately, 80% of unemployed Kenyans are also below 35 years old, and most of the unemployed youth lack employable job skills. The problem is dire among youth from disadvantaged households or those orphaned.
Most lack formal education and means to earn a living after dropping out of school due to poverty related issues. This exposes them to high risk situations including abuse and exploitation. Young women are forced into early marriage, unplanned pregnancies, and prostitution, while young men may turn to crime and drug or alcohol abuse.
Pamoja care’s Youth Empowerment program focuses on skills acquisition and training among groups marginalized by poverty and HIV/AIDS. Our aim is to increase their employability and promote self-sufficiency. We empower young people between 16-35 years with locally marketable and sustainable skills in:
- Hairdressing
- Dressmaking
- Culinary
- Masonry
- Carpentry.
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Other skills in marketable fields based on individual preference.
This enables them to secure an income, support themselves and their families. Ultimately, this is a great tool to break the cycle of poverty.
GET TO MEET
OUR TEAM
Margaret Wanjama
– Founder/Executive Director
Margaret’s desire to work with impoverished & marginalized population was inspired by her upbringing. She grew up in a small village in central Kenya…..
Rosemary N Maina
– Programs Director
Rosemary, a community organizer and leader is in charge of all our programs in Kenya. Rosemary is a well known and respected community leader who together with her husband operates……
Elidah Njeri Chege
– Field Coordinator
Elidah Njeri is in charge of coordinating Pamoja’s local programs. She is a life-long resident of Gakurwe village, in Central Kenya where Pamoja provides school support…..
Kevin M Njoroge
– Finance & Accounts Coordinator
Dependable and dedicated Accountant, energized by collaborative workplaces and motivational goal-setting. Proactively communicates across organizational levels, displaying positivity and enthusiasm.
OUR SUPPORTERS
Pamoja Care appreciates the SUPPORT and generous DONATIONS from our SUPPORTERS!!!!
We also thank the countless individual donors who have contributed money and time towards Pamoja Care’s mission.
Margaret’s desire to work with impoverished and marginalized population was inspired by her upbringing. She grew up in a small village in central Kenya where more than 80% of the population lived in poverty, and most households, including her family couldn’t afford basic necessities like food, clothing, decent housing, or clean water. At school, she and several of her fellow classmates would repeatedly miss out on school because they couldn’t afford basic school supplies. Years later, after immigrating to the United States, these experiences motivated her to want to do more back home. In 2012, she teamed up with her sister in Kenya in support of eight orphaned children who had been left alone after the sudden death of their single mother. Through this initiative of providing food, housing, and school support, Pamoja Care Inc, a Massachusetts based 501c3 nonprofit organization was born. Margaret has spent several years volunteering for vulnerable and disadvantaged population both in Kenya and Worcester, Massachusetts. She has more than fifteen years of work experience in healthcare and public health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Degree from Worcester State University.
Rosemary, a community organizer and leader is in charge of all our programs in Kenya. Rosemary is a well known and respected community leader who together with her husband operates several businesses within the community where Pamoja operates. Prior to joining Pamoja, she worked within the Kayole-Kamulu community to mobilize resources to provide orphaned and impoverished children with school fees, school supplies, housing, and food. In addition, Rosemary has used her personal resources to help countless young men and women access training in nursing, hairdressing, plumbing, and other skills. Her knowledge and connection to the community has been invaluable. Her demonstrated leadership, compassion, and proven ability have guaranteed a steady ally.
Elidah Njeri is in charge of coordinating Pamoja’s local programs. She is a life-long resident of Gakurwe village, in Central Kenya where Pamoja provides school support. Elidah is a well known community leader in the area and has served in the local primary school committee. Hence, she possesses a unique insight into the issues that affect the community and locally suitable solutions. Elidah is also a businesswoman who has ran a business within the area. At Pamoja, she works in conjunction with the area school heads, community leaders, parents, and the children. Her knowledge of the village and the people has been invaluable in identifying the areas where our limited resources can do the most good.