The mission of the Collective for Orphan Care and Education (COCE) is to provide educational and health opportunities to disadvantage people, particularly orphans, in Busia County, Kenya. As part of that mission COCE partners with local people to generate ideas, plan, and implement projects meant to improve the community. It is central to COCE’s mission to incorporate people who have firsthand knowledge of the daily life and needs in the communities we serve. When we complete a project, it is important to us to keep the project’s benefits within the community and that means employing local people, sourcing local materials, and giving back to the community economically.

Over 50% of people in Kenya are unemployed at any given time, and especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic there are many that cannot afford basic necessities. In March of 2020 we raised funds to build 2 classrooms in Nangina Village and broke ground on the new classrooms in early April. Construction was completed in June of 2020 and not only were we able to further the educational goals of children within the area, but we were also able to employee laborers who would have otherwise been struggling during these uncertain economic times. 

Working alongside our site manager Bernard, day laborers, and active community members like Chairman Edward Nyongesa Ogusinyi we were able to continue to make an impact in the lives of people in Busia County, Kenya. Chairman Ogusinyi took the time to share with us some of his observations of the classroom project and what it meant to the people in the community:

"It means a lot, because it came at a time when we were in dire need. The community itself is very disadvantage . . . It was a quite a privilege. The community felt they were considered and given an opportunity . . . They are very happy and, on their behalf, I want to say that the community is very grateful for the work."

Chairman Ogusinyi also said that prior to the building of the two classrooms the building was condemned, and children were attending classes under trees. In addition to the students the project has also helped several community members who were employed and gave them a source of income to feed their families. His dreams for his community in the future include providing more classrooms, tools, and resources for students to succeed. As of right now only 2 or 3 children a year are given all of the resources they need to successfully grow themselves, and the community, in the future. Parents, students, and community members are very thankful for COCE’s involvement and the Chairman said, "we thank you and thank god for giving you such big hearts".

COCE is very excited as we begin building desks to fill the classrooms, our staff and the community members of Nangina eagerly await the time that students will be able to learn with pride in the space our donors have generously provided.