Rona Centre

We offer an integrated approach to grassroot development by establishing and transforming new/existing health and learning spaces to provide literacy learning and accessible health services – that includes ICT for all diverse groups. We also advocate and support smart agriculture, climate change and care programmes, as well as psycho-social support to widows and orphans. Overall, we focus on trauma aware, transformative and impactful programming with long-term sustainability goals in education, health and agriculture.

Rona Orphans and Widows Centre is a project currently under Rona Foundation, and has been in existence since year 2012.
Through the Rona Centre in Wagoma, Siaya County, we offer education support, agriculture and health services for the empowerment of rural widows and orphans.
Currently, Rona Centre serves more than 200 children and about 8,000 widows.
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 infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
Rona Centre is fostering lasting partnerships as well as engaging 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.
Rona Centre has a mini-shop (duka). The duka sells a variety of household commodities to the surrounding community, and stocks items like sugar, cooking oil, soap, rice, lentils, bread, milk, sanitary pads etc. It is among the income generating projects for the Rona Centre.

The centre has a multi purpose community hall with a capacity of 200 people, that is used for community meetings, workshops, prayer services and other related activities, as well an administration office.

Sustainability Projects

Education

In collaboration with our partner, Segal Family Foundation, we provide educational assistance to children and young women impacted by widowhood. Our primary objective is to boost the number of children transitioning to secondary school. Presently, we proudly announce a 100% retention rate for sponsored students, totaling 189 scholars by 2024. Additionally, we have established a TVET center offering courses in Hairdressing, Tailoring, and Cosmetology.
Also, Rona operates the Rona School of Excellence, a primary school catering to over 80 children. We are in the process of expanding it into a digital/multilevel school, with plans for the establishment of a Junior Secondary School currently in progress.

Health

The Rona Clinic delivers comprehensive basic medical care to lakeshore villages in Bondo and adjacent islands. Presently evolving into the Rona Level III Hospital, it is being equipped with laboratory services and a 24-bed capacity ward. The clinic’s pharmacy, serving over 50 patients monthly, is a vital community resource. Plans are underway for expansion at the newly acquired 2-acre site in 2024

Agriculture

The Agricultural Hub project, supported by the county government, adopts a “seeing is believing” training approach for rural widow farmers through the Rona Centre. Addressing knowledge gaps in the vegetable value chain, it serves as an educational center and includes crop trials. The county government of Siaya through her partners, supported the project with technical support, a greenhouse and water solar pump in 2023. Additionally, the hub has a growing orchard, and a long-term plan involves establishing a grocery stand in at least 2 markets, enhancing market accessibility for the produce. Also, establishing a processing plant for value addition.

Progress

The Founder, Roseline Orwa established 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.

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.
2019: Began garment making section, with support from Modern Widows Club, and admits 8 teen mothers and young widows, sends 8 children to secondary school. Continues to support over 150 orphans – 18 resident in the project. Begins transition to school-based programmes to support orphans.
2020: Rona aquires 2 more acres of land to expand the health clinic, sends 40 children to secondary school and technical skills training (tvets). Expands the school to grade two, enrolling 25 new learners in the school.
2021: Rona aquires 1.8 more acres of land to expand the school, sends 48 children to secondary school and technical skills training (tvets). Expands the school to grade four, enrolling 47 new learners in the school.
2022: Established a complete primary school with five classrooms, enrolling 70 students and employing nine educators.
2023: Acquired more land for the school expansion. Evolved into a climate-smart learning center, planting 5000+ trees and diverse flowers. Improved food security through smart agricultural techniques. Commenced the development of Rona Level III Hospital, finalizing drawings for approval. Established a 7-member committee for the health project foundation.