(O-ga-da)
OgadaChildren’s Home
95
Current Children
10
Staff
2010
Joined CFH Network
31
Primary School Children
33
Secondary School Children
31
Post-Secondary School Children
Core Partner
About this Home
Ogada Children’s Home is the furthest west of all the Chariot homes. It is a short drive outside of Kisumu, which is a large city on Lake Victoria. Despite being so close to the lake, it has been difficult to have a reliable water source at this home.
A borehole was drilled in 2012, but the water it yields does not supply enough for the home. Thankfully, in 2014 a water catchment system was installed to harvest the rain water from the roof of each building on campus. This has been a tremendous blessing!
Upon arriving at Ogada, you may be served a cup of chai while relaxing on the bench under the huge trees or on the veranda of the manager’s house. It is a long journey by road from Nairobi and one must always rest if they chose to drive instead of flying out to visit the home. As you drink your chai, you will probably notice the boys playing soccer in the small field between their dorm and the beautiful dining hall in the middle of campus.
Behind the dining hall and the kitchen, there is a fruit tree grove and vegetable garden to provide some fresh produce for the home.
Home Manager
Emily
Emily Odiyo began working at Ogada Children’s Home in November 2015. She is the mother of six children with the oldest in university and the youngest in primary school.
Emily has a heart for children and has been working professionally with them for the last 10 years. She has training in social work and community development as well children’s ministries. Emily is excited to love the children of Ogada as her own.
A Child's Story
Helen
I came to live at Ogada Children’s Home when I was eight years old. I’m so thankful that my brother and sister could come with me. There are many children who do not have their siblings living with them here at the home.
When my dad passed away from AIDS, my mother could not take care of us. They had spent all of their money on my dad’s medical treatment before he died.
Before we came to live at Ogada, there was so much hurt and pain in my life. I think some people call it abuse. I do not want to share the details but I’m confident that I would not still be alive if I was not given the opportunity to live here at Ogada.
As the years have gone by, I have found healing in music. I love singing and dancing. It makes me feel alive. Sundays are the best day of the week because I can direct the children’s choir at church.
I have had to work hard in my studies but I managed to join secondary school (high school) at the beginning of 2015. I can’t wait to see what my future holds!
