The Catholic Church in Kenya, as we have experienced in Kitui, is extraordinarily committed to the social development of communities.  This includes projects related to education, healthcare, food and water, and justice issues.  The Church is involved with these and many more.  The Nyumbani Village for children orphaned by AIDS is an impressive example of one of these social development initiatives.

    Considered an important pilot program in Kenya, the Church has been instrumental in constructing an entire self-sustaining Village on 1,000 acres of land located about one hour’s drive from Kitui.   Children, who have been orphaned by the death of parents due to AIDS and left with no available support, are accepted into this village.  They are matched with a family of other orphans that are led by a grandparent. These grandparents may or may not have grandchildren with them, and are coming from a condition of financial crisis themselves.  Each grandparent lives with 6-8 children in a home environment.

     A home is situated within a pod of four homes.  In the center of this pod is an area with water for washing, cleaning and cooking.  Water is a valuable resource that has been badly depleted by a long drought.  Thus, a family environment and a community atmosphere are generated for each child.  The Village offers services like education, healthcare, counseling, food management, agricultural and vocational training for children and is almost totally self-sustaining.

    The Village currently has 24 homes in 6 pods and is growing quickly hoping to triple the number of children residing at Nyumbani. 

     This visit has reminded us of the important mission of Christ and the Church - to love our neighbors.  The Church within the Diocese of Kitui reflects this through initiatives of action.  We have been impressed and inspired to do the same.