Inspire 6-3

The Story of Talented, Unique, and Devoted Young people from Ruiru Kenya FOCUS
Am glad to introduce you to a group of young people in Ruiru Kenya which is doing a wonderful work to the community. A group of youngster i.e. Hillary Mabubi, ken Mwangi, Paul Mukundi , john Kimani ,Allan Ochieng’ ,Roman Nyanjui, Irene Wambui and Ann Gakubu met in year 2000 and joined a group that already existed that was dealing with HIV/AIDS awareness called Ruiru Aids Awareness Group(RAAG).

They volunteered in this organization, where they were using drama to educate the community on different social challenges with more emphasis on HIV/AIDS. At that moment HIV/AIDS prevalence rate was at 34% in Thika district and youths were more infected and affected. In the year 2002 this group met different challenges when implementing a home based care project with Pathfinder International, among them high number of orphans and vulnerable children. At this point they noted that they need to widen their scope and venture on various project to address different social challenges in the community.

In the year 2002 they thought of forming a different organization meant to widen their scope with more emphasis on youth development programs and supporting orphans and vulnerable children. They agreed to form a group named FOCUS (families orphan and children under stress):- a community based organization registered by ministry of culture and social service Kenya, in the year 2002. It has 30 volunteer members drawn from Ruiru and its environs where Most of them are artiste and socialists.

FOCUS uses multidimensional channels of communications to promote socio-economic development. FOCUS also runs a simple and sustainable day care centre to care for orphans and vulnerable children and encourage community parenting.

On interview, Founding chairperson Mr. Hillary Mabubi who is a graduate from Kenyatta University says the suffering of orphans and youth missing vital information on HIV/AIDS and indulging in dangerous and risky activities was the driving force to initiate the organization. Most members said they come to the centre to embrace and nurture a smile to children and make sure they get their basic needs. Hillary also was quick to note that life has not been easy especially when they started the organization; he said they used to go and perform in hotels, churches and different public gatherings to raise money to support and help in making sure there is a radiant smile on faces of the children at the centre (FOCUS).

Currently FOCUS is supporting 40 OVCs at the centre and is planning to add the number come year 2007. FOCUS is run and managed by young people aged between 19-30years.These young people are responsible for making sure that orphans get food, clothes, education needs, psychological support, social support, emotional support, health and spiritual support.
Roman Nyanjui Kariuki

The Story of Talented, Unique, and Devoted Young people from Ruiru Kenya Am glad to introduce you to a group of young people in Ruiru Kenya which is doing a wonderful work to the community. A group of youngster i.e. Hillary Mabubi, ken Mwangi, Paul Mukundi , john Kimani ,Allan Ochieng’ ,Roman Nyanjui, Irene Wambui and Ann Gakubu met in year 2000 and joined a group that already existed that was dealing with HIV/AIDS awareness called Ruiru Aids Awareness Group(RAAG). They volunteered in this organization, where they were using drama to educate the community on different social challenges with more emphasis on HIV/AIDS. At that moment HIV/AIDS prevalence rate was at 34% in Thika district and youths were more infected and affected. In the year 2002 this group met different challenges when implementing a home based care project with Pathfinder International, among them high number of orphans and vulnerable children. At this point they noted that they need to widen their scope and venture on various project to address different social challenges in the community. In the year 2002 they thought of forming a different organization meant to widen their scope with more emphasis on youth development programs and supporting orphans and vulnerable children. They agreed to form a group named FOCUS (families orphan and children under stress):- a community based organization registered by ministry of culture and social service Kenya, in the year 2002. It has 30 volunteer members drawn from Ruiru and its environs where Most of them are artiste and socialists. FOCUS uses multidimensional channels of communications to promote socio-economic development. FOCUS also runs a simple and sustainable day care centre to care for orphans and vulnerable children and encourage community parenting. On interview, Founding chairperson Mr. Hillary Mabubi who is a graduate from Kenyatta University says the suffering of orphans and youth missing vital information on HIV/AIDS and indulging in dangerous and risky activities was the driving force to initiate the organization. Most members said they come to the centre to embrace and nurture a smile to children and make sure they get their basic needs. Hillary also was quick to note that life has not been easy especially when they started the organization; he said they used to go and perform in hotels, churches and different public gatherings to raise money to support and help in making sure there is a radiant smile on faces of the children at the centre (FOCUS). Currently FOCUS is supporting 40 OVCs at the centre and is planning to add the number come year 2007. FOCUS is run and managed by young people aged between 19-30years.These young people are responsible for making sure that orphans get food, clothes, education needs, psychological support, social support, emotional support, health and spiritual support. Roman Nyanjui Kariuki

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