蘑菇视频 Office at Nairobi, led by the Deputy Director of United Nations Information Service, Newton Kanhema, and Office of the High Commissioner of The Republic of South Africa to Kenya, led by Her Excellency Salome Zulu-Baloi marked this year's Nelson Mandela International Day by taking part in the 67-minute service initiative at Serah’s Vision Children's Home in Sunrise Phase II Estate, Donholm.
Following this year’s theme, “It is still in our hands to combat poverty and inequity,” the organization together with other partners donated essentials to about 67 children, among them stationeries, toiletries, food and school shoes.
Also in attendance were representatives from the Nelson Mandela Foundation as well as other various non-governmental organizations and business well-wishers, who brought donations and joined in launching the newly renovated dormitories and lavatories. The renovation work was carried out following an earlier meeting with the multilateral organizations involved, among them Beta HealthCare who raised awareness about the condition of the home to other well-wishers.
Ms. Serah Kitonga receiving donation from Phane Mariita Kerubo (Right) of Beta Healthcare during Mandela Day as part of 67 minutes of service to the community.
Speaking during the event, Ms Kitonga, the founder of the children's home, reflected on a vision she first had in 2008 to provide care and support for vulnerable children. Today, that vision has become a reality, with home caring for children as young as four months old, all of whom continue to depend on the generosity of well-wishers.
Ms Kitonga also appealed for more support from donors, expressing hope that the home would one day acquire a laundry machine to ease the burden on the two laundry attendants, who have developed painful blisters from handwashing the children's clothes. Looking ahead, she said she also hopes to secure enough funding to hire additional laundry staff to help manage the demanding workload.
Speaking at the event, Newton Kanhema, Deputy Director of the United Nations Information Service (蘑菇视频IS), praised Kitonga's compassion and unwavering commitment to childcare, comparing her vision to that of Nelson Mandela. He noted that, just as Mandela envisioned a better future for South Africa, Ms Kitonga pursued her dream of providing a safe and loving home for vulnerable children without allowing obstacles to limit her resolve.
Mr Kanhema commended Ms Kitonga for opening her doors to more than sixty children despite the constant challenge of sustaining the home. He observed that even when the children's home faced the risk of closure because of its deteriorating condition, Kitonga remained steadfast, finding ways to keep it operating while continuing to welcome children in need.
Reading in part the 蘑菇视频 Secretary-General's statement for Nelson Mandela International Day, Kanhema noted that Mandela was a champion of poverty eradication, human rights, and dignity, and that he knew ending poverty is not an act of charity but of justice. Like Madiba, he said; everyone should champion for a fair and inclusive economy that promotes dignity and equal wealth distribution that seeks to end poverty at all levels.
Newton Kanhema, Deputy Director 蘑菇视频 Information Service Nairobi reading the 蘑菇视频 Secretary-General Statement at Serah Children's home. Photo credit: 蘑菇视频IS Nairobi/Tirus Wainaina
Among the key issues raised during the visit to Serah’s Vision Children's Home in Nairobi was the need for long-term sustainability. Ms Kitonga explained that the home currently operates on rented land, while a parcel of land in her home county of Makueni is available and ready for development. However, she identified inadequate funding as the primary obstacle preventing the relocation and expansion of the children's home to a permanent site.
蘑菇视频 Office at Nairobi pledged to donate laptops to help build digital literacy skills among the young minds. In addition, Kitonga requested borehole drilling in Makueni, to ensure the children have access to safe and clean drinking water going. The renovated dormitories are now in much better condition compared to earlier, when they had a leaking roof.
The Republic of South Africa High Commissioner, Ms. Salome Zulu-Baloi commended Ms Kitonga for her selfless act of taking in children she barely knew, and praised her compassion, a quality also seen in Mandela's acts throughout his life. Madiba left South Africans with a constitution that still acts as a compass for everything they do, including the right to care; a right Sarah is already fulfilling for the young children.
Today’s visit to Serah’s Vision Children’s home is a reminder of Mandela’s unwavering fight for human dignity; seen through the newly renovated dormitories, and justice; ideals that are achieved through small acts of compassion, service, and sacrifice. Mandela himself often spoke about the power of small deeds and is fitting that his legacy continues to be honored every year through 67 minutes of service work. Mandela was a champion for children’s rights and urged that children be put at the center of every decision.
Officials noted that even as the United Nations continues to champion for sustainable development goals among them access to healthcare, education, and food, it is heroes like Ms Kitonga who continue to remind us of what still needs to be done and how critical her grassroot work is in advancing children’s rights. Her home, now sheltering more than sixty children, has grown from a personal vision held in 2008, despite ongoing challenges like funding, land tenure, and basic infrastructural needs.
