Address: C/O BERNADETTE A. OTIENO Coordinator P. O. BOX 9169 KISUMU. TEL: 035-23106/ 0722-780155

St. Rita Women group was formed in 1998 and acquired its registration from the Department of Social services in September, 24th, 2001.

The main purpose of forming the Womens group was to bring its members together so as to enhance their social and financial support towards the needy members of the community. This was mainly identified to be children who had been left as orphans after loss of their loved parents as a result of HIV/AIDS and related illnesses. Some of these children are left under the care of aged grandparents who had exhausted their resources on their daughters and sons while undergoing treatment.

Although the group was started by less than four members, its membership has increased to fifteen. The group strategizes its support by engaging each member to take care of between 2-3 orphans. This is done through support in clothing, education and food.

The group is located in West Kolwa, Nyalenda B sub-location in Winam Division of Kisumu District, Kenya.

The project intends to address the plight of young orphans from age (5-18) years. Given that this is the age bracket to be relied upon for the nation's future development, St. Rita will embark on strategies to address quality education, improve their nutrition status and spiritual upkeep. The members of the group will also benefit from workshops organized targeting various fields e.g dairy farming, financial management and peer education for orphans.

These will include:

a) Home visitation where orphans live with relatives or guardians and single parents.

b) Identification of social needs from enrolled orphans.

c) Training of 15 members in capacity building in dairy farming, horticulture and financial management.

d) Purchase of uniforms and Books for the orphans.

e) Hold a 3-day peer education seminar for orphans.

f) Organize social outings for the orphans/ beneficiaries.

g) Dairy farming.

h) Horticulture farming (Vegetable farming) through irrigation.

i) Children/ Youth/Teenage talks in schools.

j) Dispensing to orphans of drugs for mild ailments.