Ugenya's SVH Coordinator Finds Work Rewarding and Challenging!

Calvin Juma Aloo, age 33, has been the coordinator for SOTENI's Village of Hope-Ugenya for three years.  In that role, he works with the village's local management committee and is liaison between SOTENI Kenya and the village.  He also oversees the AIDS Barefoot Doctors (ABD) and Sponsorship programs in the area, and will soon coordinate the restoration of SVH-Ugenya's banana farm. (See related story.) Calvin finds the work both meaningful and challenging!

"The ABD program has improved the lives of many people suffering from HIV/AIDS," Calvin related and proudly noted that many AIDS victims have resumed using anti-retroviral drugs since working with the ABDs.  He also is gratified that through the ABD program, caregivers of persons living with HIV/AIDS are trained in how to grow "kitchen gardens" from seeds and fertilizer that SOTENI provides. They are also trained and given free access to daily supplies of PUR, a water purification sachet provided to SOTENI through the Procter and Gamble Company.   Clean water and nutritional support are essential for AIDs patients.

Closest to Calvin's heart, however, is SOTENI's Sponsorship program because he too was once an "at risk" child growing up in extreme poverty. He received sponsorship for his high school education through Outreach Europe and knows what it means to have such support. Calvin regrets that his sponsorship concluded before he could attend a college, and he is very committed to encouraging sponsors to fund post-secondary education for SOTENI's sponsored children.  

Currently, Ugenya has 10 children enrolled in the sponsorship program.  Two are now in college, two are yet to join colleges and the rest are in high school. "The children view me as their mentor since I visit them at their homes, advise them and pay their school fees and tuition," says Calvin.  "In addition, I do a needs assessment on all the children and help meet their individual needs using the money provided by their sponsors."  

Calvin's major work life challenge is the lack of office space. When he needs to communicate with SOTENI Kenya in Nairobi, he uses the lobby of a local hotel and taps into their electricity to send reports and emails.  If the hotel is filled with large groups of guests attending conferences, he finds it very difficult to find a spot in the hotel to plug in his computer. At these times, he laughs, "my reports are late!"  Calvin is grateful to the hotel management for allowing him to use their facility for his computer work.  He tries to express his appreciation by encouraging SOTENI staff and interns to use the hotel while they are working in Ugenya.

Harrison Hines (at right in the above photo), a SOTENI intern from Duke University, had the opportunity to work with Calvin this summer. Harrison relates:  "Calvin made my time in SVH-Ugenya one of the most memorable and enriching experiences of my life.  Whether it was learning about SOTENI operations in the area, the dynamics of the community, a bit about Luo tribal culture or how to manage a banana farm, Calvin was eager to help me in every way." 

"I thank God for my job with SOTENI," Calvin exclaimed. "My life has changed in so many ways. Professionally, I have gained experience in social work, home-based care through training with the ABDs and gained skills in bookkeeping and accounting.  My family has benefited also.  With my secure job, I now am able to clothe, feed and house my wife and three children and pay the children's school fees.  That is a real achievement for a person like me who did not get an advanced education.  I am so grateful."

NOTE:  Your general donations to SOTENI help to pay Calvin's salary and his expenses for operations of SVH-Ugenya. Click on the DONATE icon and help to continue Calvin's good work.