Welcome

We are glad that you are interested in learning more about Maisha International Orphanage and our work in the Nyanza Province of Kenya. Maisha International Orphanage (MIO) is a nonprofit humanitarian organization operating as a project of Congressional District Programs (CDP), a 501(c) 3 whose purpose is to “Encourage Philanthropy by empowering people to help people.”

Maisha International Orphanage is the result of one woman’s dream. A sponsor gave Beatrice Williamson the tools she needed to rise above her circumstances and step into her destiny. Now, her passion is to reach out to orphaned and destitute children and provide them with the same opportunity. By making a difference in their lives, we create a brighter future for ourselves. The fruition of Beatrice’s dream began in 2006, when she founded Maisha
We have discovered that if we invest a sufficient amount of time and energy and work hand in hand with the local people of Nyanza, Kenya, we can facilitate improvements in health, education, and the local economy.

We are a grassroots non-profit organization that has been active since 2006. One unique feature about Maisha is that we operate through a partnership between overseas volunteers and a staff of local Kenyans.

All of our international coordination, fundraising, missions trips, and marketing is done through a staff of unpaid volunteers from the US, Canada and London. Our on-the-ground operations are all run by local Kenyans who are trained in development, education, HIV/AIDS counseling and home-based care.

We have witnessed certain situations in development that restrain progress. Unfortunately, development and education projects offered by some organizations often reach a limited number of individuals. Most often only those living in easily accessible locations benefit from these organizations. We believe that it is important to reach those that are ignored and to teach from within and not from above, Maisha is committed to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Working with and educating those living in the rural villages, we hope we can impact in areas not often touched by international aid.

Our Motto
“To fight HIV/AIDS, provide education to orphans and destitute children, encourage income generating projects widows and widowers and provide healthcare for people of Nyanza without regard to religion, politics, ethnicity or nationality.”

Our Mission
Maisha’s mission is twofold:
1. To Inspire people to make a difference in the lives of orphaned and destitute children through financial generosity and volunteer commitment.
2. Transform the lives of orphans and destitute children while changing the communities we operate in by providing tools and opportunities to succeed.

“To care for the needy, to clothe the naked, to feed the hungry and to welcome the strangers.” Matthew 25-31.46

Our Vision
To see orphans and destitute Children, widows and widowers in Africa succeed in life.

Our Goals
» Provide HIV/AIDS education program
» Provide education program.
» Provide clean water, sanitation, and a safe home environment for children.
» Feed orphans and destitute children a well balanced nutritious lunch every day at Maisha Center.
» Develop a sustainable Income generation project with the Maisha widows group.
» Support local youths by providing tutoring and extracurricular activities.
» Offer scholarships for every standard eight student in Ayaro, Omungi, and Kadiju Primary Schools.
» Create scholarship program through secondary school for standard eight students who excel.
» Serve 100 households by 2010, ensuring each child’s needs are met and they attend school.
» Train and educate heads of households