P.O. BOX: 820– 40300, HOMA BAY – KENYA, EAST AFRICA Tel. +254725369336/ +254726160339/716467632 *Empowering women and children to be self reliant*

G ROUP PROFILE

BACKGROUND The group was started in 2002 by a group of widows mostly elderly women and registered with the Ministry of Culture and Social Services Homa Bay in 2002 (Reg. No. DSS/SH/3053/2002). The name “Dani” in Luo language means Grand mother and the group was so named because of the members being grandmothers.

Later the ‘grannies’ realized the need to incorporate other younger people to help the group carry out activities aimed at meeting their overall objectives that required participation of younger persons.

The idea to join hands when trying to look solutions to our problems was brought to board by Mama Ester Odari Ogolla who is living her 115th year today.* Our children will live to remember and depend on who we give/do to them today* she said.

MISSION OF THE GROUP 1. Elimination of stigma and discrimination in the community 2. Engaging community in creating an enable environment in which all children can develop their potentials for making better future for themselves. 3. Reduce HIV/AIDS spread and mitigate its impact in the community so as to improve the quality of life in the community. 4. Improve the quality of life for the elderly community members. 5. Improve agricultural production in the community for reasons of food.

Location of the group:

The group is located in Nyanza Province, Homa Bay District, Asego Division, West Kanyada Location, and North Kanyabala Sub-location LangoromoVillage. However the group’s coverage in terms of activities includes the whole of North Kanyabala Sub-location. ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP  Psychosocial support (P.SS) targeting on children especially girls.  Sexual behavior change campaigns (BCC).  Home –based care (HBC) of people living with HIV/AIDS.  Promoting of HIV/AIDS interventions e.g. Condom distribution, Voluntary Counseling & Testing (VCT), prevention of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV (PMTCT and Male Concussion.  Income generating activities ( Horticultural farming, poultry farming and Village Savings and Loaning (V.S.L))  Improving sanitation in Market places.

ACHIEVEMENTS:  Formation of children Clubs in four primary schools.  12 Community Health Workers (CHWs) trained.  14 youths trained on BCC.  Formation on Village Development Committee (Lang Oromo VDC).  68 Clients receiving HB C services – 50 being children  Quarterly mobile VCTG services in collaboration with Upendo Widows VCT.  Formation of theatre Group for HIV advocacy/BCC in Lang Oromo village.  Training 40 community members on HIV advocacy  Training 60 youths – members of theatre groups on HIV advocacy  Creating a clean market – Koduogo market centre. COLLABORATORS/PARTNERS:

1. Plan International (K) Provided support for capacity building for the group/community as follows:-  Trained 60 theatre group members.  Trained group members on financial management.  Trained 40 community members.  Supported formation of VDC.  Funded group’s poultry and horticultural projects to the tune of Ksh. 120,000.  Support formation of children clubs.

2. CARE KENYA  Provided farm inputs (seeds).

3. WORFAK

 Trained 3 CHWs on HBC.

 Support Community Health Education activities.

 Vocational training of orphaned girls & boys and of school.

4. MINISTRY OF HEALTH  Provide supervision on health related activities.  Provided reporting and referral tools for HBC programe.  Attend to our clients referred to them.  Refresher training – during reviewing meetings of the CBO.

5. MINISTRY OF CULTURE & SOCIAL SERVICES.  Monitor group’s activities.  Resolve conflicts.  Facilitate opening of bank accounts.  Addicting the books of account for the group.

6. C-MAD  Trained 14 youths on sexual reproductive health/BCC

FUNDING SOURCES:

 Members monthly Contributions.  Income-generating activities (Merry –go-round, poultry, horticulture) within the group.  Fund-raising.  Well wishers contributions.

For more information, contact:

Gideon Omondi Onyango, Secretary, Ayaga Dani Widows Self-help Group P.O. Box 820-40300 HOMA BAY.

Telephone: +254725 369 336/+254716467632/+254726160339. E-mail: [email protected] E-mail [email protected]