Lilian Waithira Ikuro had a dream of a children’s home where vulnerable, disadvantaged little souls would be cared for, loved and nurtured to be independent and fully functional members of society. This was 2003. Today, this is not a dream anymore as Lilian and The Nazareth House have become a haven to young people, mainly orphans, who are in dire need of home and support to go on with life.
ANCOP Canada’s Malou and Jun Clarito (left-first row) and Goi and Charm Villegas (left- back row) with the orphans of The Nazareth House, Fr. Eusebio Manangbao, SVD (right-1st row) and Lilian Ikuro (right-back row)
In 2010, the Lilian Foundation Care Group was founded and established bringing into reality Lilian’s passion to help the poor. The journey ahead had taken its first step when they finally got a registration certificate from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Development of Kenya. Through this foundation, The Nazareth House was built and opened its doors initially to two neglected young sisters rescued from an unsafe environment.
Currently, The Nazareth House in Muchatha Village uses the house owned by the SVD Congregation through the help of Rev. Fr. Eusebio Manangbao. Twenty-one orphans call the semi-permanent structure, home. Five volunteers, including Lilian, take care of the children all of whom are attending a neighbouring school.
For its daily needs, The Nazareth House relies mainly on donations from a few sponsors and good-hearted people who come and visit. But, as the number of children increased, food supply gets short and there is not enough for the children. The scarcity of funds also prevents the children from continuing their education. If their school fees are not paid, the school sends them home. The children are then left with no choice but to stay in The Nazareth house where they help plant vegetables, do household chores and gather around holding to each other to find strength.
Last November 2015, ANCOP Canada entered into an agreement with The Nazareth House placing the care of the orphaned children under ANCOP’s Child Sponsorship Program. Malou Clarito signed the agreement on behalf of ANCOP Canada, and Lilian and Fr. Eusebio Manangbao on behalf of The Nazareth House.
Lilian and Fr. Eusebio look forward to ANCOP’s continued support, and they appeal for more people’s generosity so The Nazareth House could reach out to many more orphans in Kenya who desperately need help.
By Malou Clarito, CFC ANCOP Canada