Charitable woman gets State award for feeding 200 orphans

Susan Nandwa receives a badge of State recognition from Western Province Administration officer Maurice Ogweno for examplary effort in assisting vulnerable children. [Photo: Benjamin Sakwa/Standard]

By Sammy Jakaa

KAKAMEGA, KENYA: A woman from Butere District, Kakamega County, has received a presidential award for supporting over 200 orphans.

Ms Susan Nandwa received a State commendation award on Monday for initiating school feeding programmes and sponsoring orphans and vulnerable school going children.

Western Province Administration officer One Maurice Ogweno said the State had recognised Nandwa’s charity work and said they would nominate her for bigger awards.

Ogweno said Nandwa was among eight other individuals the President recognised in Western Province.

“The State has honoured Nandwa for her exemplary effort to assist the vulnerable in society. I encourage others to follow suit,” said Ogweno.

School fees and food

Lunza DO Githinji Wamahiu said most poor children in Butere District can access education thanks to Nandwa’s charity work.

Nandwa, a resident of Ostend, Belgium, runs a charitable organisation called Save Children of Hope, which sponsors feeding programmes in schools and pays fees for orphans and vulnerable children.

She thanked the President for honouring her and pledged to increase the number of children she supports.

She said plans were under way for a rescue centre and technical institute for needy students.

“I have thought it wise to start a technical school to offer tertiary education to these vulnerable children. Many end up languishing in poverty after secondary school since colleges are often expensive,” said Nandwa.

Nandwa comes to Kenya once every month to supervise her charitable projects. Her organisation is supported by the Belgium Royal Family, City of Ostend and pensioners in Europe.

She appealed to individuals who run charitable organisations to desist from misappropriating such funds, saying most donors are withdrawing their support due to rampant corruption.