This archive report was first published on 4 August 2019.
On a visit to Kilifi in 2006, Austrian philanthropist Gabriella Vonwald was deeply moved by the plight of local neglected widows and their children. She returned to her home in Austria with plans to better their lives, mobilizing funds and founding the Gapeka Children's Hope Centre.
The NGO operates Kilifi Vonwald Primary and Secondary schools, where the poor learn for free. Dozens of students have been taken in at the boarding section to enable them to concentrate on their studies, which would otherwise be affected by lack of proper housing.
Today, the centre is supporting the education of close to 1,000 students in colleges and universities across Kenya and has built more than 100 houses for widows and single mothers from funding by philanthropists overseas.
According to Tsama Mwanyiro, the centre's CEO, Gabriella's conscience was pricked by the Kibra incident and poverty in Kilifi. 'That a boy from Kibra could not go to school because of Sh200 touched Gabriella deeply, she felt that even small money can bring a positive impact on someone's life.'
The centre's Social Living programme has provided decent housing to many urban families in Rojo, Masindeni, and Mafumbini villages, who are now proud owners of homes with piped water and other amenities.
However, the centre has faced challenges, including parents absconding from their responsibilities and girls becoming pregnant, forcing them to stay away from school.
Published on August 4, 2019.
