Rona Orphans and Widows Centre is a project currently under Rona Foundation, and has been in existence since year 2012.
RONA’s core focus at the centre is on education, health, nutrition and care which is inclusive of psycho-social support to Orphans and Vulnerable children (OVC), both boys and girls, who are both infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Currently RONA Centre is home to 166 children (26 residential and 140 who are supported through our outreach program). RONA is building lasting partnerships as well as engage the community in supporting and protecting the orphaned children at the perishing lakeshore villages.
Through the support of our friends and partners, RONA is envisioning self-sustainable projects geared towards ensuring our children are well catered for.
History
The Founder, Roseline Orwa establishes the centre at inhabited land in Wagoma village, which she bought with a little support from her brother, then later moved the children from her mother’s house to the centre. The number of orphaned children is still overwhelming. Rona depends on the Founder’s resources, local churches and individuals for the children’s basic needs to date.
Progress
2012 Rona launches the centre in Wagoma and feeds over 300 orphans, in attendance with community leaders and stakeholders
2013 Rona builds the girls and boys dormitory from Roseline’s own savings. And provides a home to 30 children. Later that year, over 150 children in Orengo Primary School receives uniforms, tailored by Rona staff and funded by online fundraising.
2014 Rona conducts a 3 day free medical camp with over 3000 patients treated, in partnership with Bondo District Hospital, and funded by individuals, friends of Rona.
2015 Rona builds a mini clinic/pharmacy and shop, funded by Tejcheve Foundation, to serve the endless health needs, since the nearby government dispensary is 6kms away in a remote village with no road structure, a nurse (widow) was employed. An ECD school was launched with 18 children, as the nearby school is 3kms away. One teacher was employed.
2016 The road network in Wagoma Village is constructed following the continuous lobbying of Rona Foundation amidst resistance from the community. Water and sanitation was implemented with improved toilets. The ECD School gets a face lift funded by Zonta Club, Germany.
2017 Rona constructs a ‘volunteer house’ for hosting mission teams, volunteers and staff. The house remains incomplete. The foundation for cottages is also laid, and remain unfinished.
2018 Rona sends 13 children to secondary school. And continue to support over 150 orphans, 26 resident in the project. Rona stops weekend feeding due to lack of resources and support.
