On 30th October 2007 in Oyugis, western Kenya, Upendo Foundation International was officially launched at a meeting attended by more than 100 people, including local and regional officials together with a UK team visiting the Projects. The details below are taken from our 2007 Newsletter, explaining the rationale behind this new organisation.

An ‘umbrella’ organisation, uniting Self-help Projects and Community Groups

In spite of the continued progress and development of the many community groups and Projects in partnership with Amani UK, there has also been the awareness over recent years that we are not realizing the full potential of the many good aspects of our programmes due to the limitation of resources. Most major potential donors, particularly of an international nature, now favour partners of a significant size and scope, capable of being part of wide networked projects and essentially based in the country seeking support.

To meet this challenge we have created the Upendo Foundation as an international NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) which will be an entirely Kenyan organisation. The three principle aims will be to maximize the resources and expertise within the many affiliated groups, to develop the capability of the local Kenyans to seek international funding for the programmes and to develop a network of partners embracing similar aims and values.

In July 2007 the Upendo Foundation was finally registered in Nairobi as an international NGO after a long period of frustrating delays. We see this as a really important development for the communities in western Kenya and for the opportunity to encourage a greater level of independent Kenyan management of the Projects. We are very pleased with the calibre of people willing to become Board members who, we believe, will ensure an even more confident and competent level of governance for the future.  

Jim Leftwich

Back to Latest News