At the tender age of two months, baby Deborah Joy, like all the other 60 adorable children at the Angels Centre for Abandoned Children in Dagoretti, was oblivious to how deeply she had captivated the hearts of Rotary Club of Nairobi-Lang’ata members who had visited the Centre on 18th December to share in the Christmas cheer.
The children sang and squealed in delight during the cake cutting session. They grabbed and gobbled up cake, their cream-plastered hands and faces beaming for more, a little overwhelming for members who were possibly not used to having too many children around them. One couldn’t help but wonder how the caregivers kept up with the highly energetic tots!
Alice, a social worker who had recently joined the Centre intimated harrowing and tear-jerking stories of how the children ended up the Home’s doorstep. They ranged from babies born of incest or rape being dumped in police stations or at the Centre’s gate, with some (often younger) mothers signing away their children for adoption. Angels Centre repatriates the children with their families, and work with adoption agencies to get the children a better home. Her passion for the work was contagious as she narrated how the adoption process works, encouraging RCL members to consider funding to educate the school-going children and to feed the younger babies.
“I wake up every day thinking about the progress of every child as if they were my own. Among the challenges we face is delays with paperwork of the children. The law enforcement agencies take too long to process the paperwork that would enable a child get adopted faster. Funding is also another challenge because there are always more children coming in and we don’t have enough to care for them and to take them through school. We rely on well-wishers to make it through,” she said.
According to the Centre’s website, Angel Centre was founded in October 2009, by Wamaitha Mwangi, who serves as the chairlady. Angel Centre is registered under Section 10 of the Non-Governmental Organizations Co-ordination ACT of Kenya as well as the Ministry of labour, social security and services.
While handing over the gift contributions from friends and family of RCL, President Kizito Makatiani committed to supporting the Home by inviting more members to interact with the home.
“The work you are doing is truly inspiring and we will consider inviting more members to support you as much as we can,” noted President Kizito.
The plight of these innocent children was haunting enough to encourage a mini fundraiser that took place at the Club’s social party held at the Karen Country Club on the same day.
Here’s to a New Year of touching the vulnerable, protecting the interests of children and making a better world for the generations to come. Kudos to the organizing team, Family of Rotary Director Faith Gathungu, Service Projects Director Carol Mburu under the able leadership of Club President Kizito Makatiani.
To make a donation to Angels Centre
MPESA
TILL NUMBER: 917425
BANK ACCOUNT:
Bank: KCB
Branch: Sarit centre
Acc. Name: Angel centre for abandoned children
Acc. No: 1124041486
Swiftcode: KCBLKENX