Act of Hope Orphanage Construction

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The Act of Hope orphanage, is located in Kabiria area, Nairobi. When we visited it in February 2023, we were deeply saddened by the dire conditions in which more than 30 boys and girls were living. 

The children had to sleep in cramped, dilapidated steel, "mabati" shacks with insufficient beds, and a leaking roof that would flood their sleeping area during the rainy seasons. 

We also learned that the children would sometimes go without food and lacked a proper space to study and do their homework after school.

With support from you, and our parners from Time to help Nederlands,  we were able to build a new stone structure that houses two classrooms, two large sleeping quarters for the boys and girls, complete with new beds, mattresses, and bedding. 

We also provided the children with stationery to aid their studies and painted the walls with vibrant colors and drawings that helped to create an atmosphere of warmth, safety, and happiness.

We would like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of our donors and partners who made this possible. Your contributions have provided these children with more than just a building, but with a renewed sense of hope and a brighter future. 

Jannatul Firdaus Orphanage is located in Likoni, Mombasa. It is home to 86 orphaned boys and girls. 

The original structure was too small to host the growing number of children, so the management made a formal request to the Omeriye Foundation for an expansion of the structure. 

They also requested that we carry out some repairs like fixing a leaking ceiling, re-tiling the floors, and purchasing new bedding. After reaching out to our partners from Time to Help (UK), we began work in 2023. 

In September 2023, The brand-new Jannatul Firdaus orphanage was officially launched, thanks to help from individual donors and our partners from Time to Help.  

When we visited in 2021, The Zamzam Center and Madrassa, it had 2 employees and 36 orphaned children. The center was in a dilapidated state.  It had a leaking roof, and the floor was chipped away. With no carpet, the rooms would get very cold at night

The Kitchen area had no chimney and it was extremely smoky, because of the big meals that were being cooked there for the children.  

The walls had a rising damp issue and needed a fresh coat of paint.

In collaboration with our partner organization Time to Help Netherlands,  we repaired the rooftops, replacing the old ones with new and durable ones. A durable and efficient chimney was constructed to vent smoke, 

Kitchen shelves were built as well. The walls and floors in every room of the institution were painted with waterproof paint. Tiles were laid on the corridor floor to facilitate cleaning, and the drainage system was repaired to channel away rainwater.

Additionally, the orphans were provided with stationery, books, notebooks, pencils, rulers, crayons, math sets,  erasers, etc., according to their age and class. Food supplies were also provided for about a month. Toys and brain teasers were distributed,  and we spent time snacking and playing games with the children. 

 During a visit to the orphanage in 2015, several issues were identified that required urgent attention. 

Firstly, it was observed that the orphanage lacked suitable spaces for children to study, eat, and pray. Additionally, the security of the orphanage premises was compromised due to the absence of a perimeter wall. 

The surface roots of trees in the garden posed a constant tripping hazard to the children, leading to frequent injuries.

Furthermore, the orphanage faced challenges in providing adequate storage for the children's clothes, as there were no wardrobes available. This resulted in clothes being left out in the open and scattered around. 

Despite previous plans to install built-in closets, financial constraints had prevented their implementation. 

Additionally, the altitude of Nairobi city contributed to the cold environment, with children bathing in cold water and often falling ill.

Moreover, the lack of comfortable seating arrangements, such as sofas, forced children to sit on bunk beds or the floor. Volunteers and resident staff members also faced discomfort, as they slept on the floor with minimal bedding. The kitchen's location between two bedrooms, coupled with the use of a wood stove without proper ventilation, posed a serious health risk to the children due to smoke inhalation.

Additionally, garbage accumulation in the garden was a pressing concern, as it was burned without proper waste management protocols. Lastly, the playground equipment donated years ago had deteriorated beyond repair, depriving the children of a safe and enjoyable outdoor play area.

The Omeriye Foundation conducted an orphanage outreach project to address the various challenges faced by the orphanage:

• Constructed rooms for study, meals, and worship, 

• Built a perimeter wall for security. 

• Paved the garden 

• installed closets for clothing storage.

• installed a solar energy system for warm baths, p

• Provided sofas for comfort, improved sleeping arrangements for volunteers and staff, 

• Installed a chimney and playground equipment.