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St. Michael’s Africa Project
to support a new SSND project in Nyalieng’a Kenya. The Notre Dame Children Outreach* (NDCO) was
formed at the request of the Bishop of Homa Bay Diocese to assist the neediest of the children in an area that had been
hard-hit by the HIV/AIDS crisis.
* Outreach à This program respects the living arrangements of the children. Many are cared for by a sickly parent, an elderly grandmother, an older sibling, an aunt or uncle or another guardian.
The goal of the NDCO is to assist each child to reach the fullness of his/her potential. Particular attention is given to quality education but the NDCO also ensures proper health care, social and emotional support, character development, food security etc. The NDCO began with 119 orphan children. The program now has 150+ children in its care with many more having completed their education and become self-supporting capable adults. assist each child to reach the fullness of his/her potential. Particular attention is given to quality education but the NDCO also ensures proper health care, social and emotional support, character development, food security etc. The NDCO began with 119 orphan children. The program
In 2009, the focus at St. Michael’s was to fundraise for the NDCO and to educate the parish. A Solidarity Pole was erected, presentations were made during the Sunday liturgies and at the parish schools, news from the NDCO was shared in the bulletin and on display boards and many other parish activities took place.
St. Michael’s initiated the Harambee Child Sponsorship Program in the fall of 2013, at the request of Sister Rose Ngacha, NDCO Director. This program, which directly matches a sponsor with a child, was embraced by the parish and currently more than 120 students are being sponsored. Each sponsor receives an annual update and a picture.
Sponsorship needs vary depending on the level of schooling (pre-school, elementary, secondary, technical, university). Sponsorship renewals take place annually in the month of October.
New sponsors are always welcome – contact the parish office for more information.