The Kenyan team
Kijiji Cha Upendo is “Village of Love” in Swahili. “Kijiji” was founded by social worker Leonora Omala* and her husband, Andrew Obara, as a way to support children orphaned by the AIDS crisis and the courageous and loving women who care for them.
As the work has grown from an initial cluster of 15 women to 150 women and more than 700 children, the Kijiji Cha Upendo team continues to develop. “Kijiji” uses community development best practices, invests in staff and volunteers with professional training, and uses digital tools for monitoring and reporting.
*Omala is Leonora’s name used for official documents. Obara is her community name.
Kijiji Cha Upendo Staff (full-time and part-time)
Programme Officer: Leonora Obara
Administrator: Andrew Obara
Field Co-ordinator: Moses Odhiambo
Community Mobilizer: Leah Atieno
Office Assistant: Mareen Keere
Accountant: Leonard Magati
Community Health Promoter: Joan Achieng Onyango
“This project gave me more than money. It gave me confidence. I now wake up knowing my children will eat and go to school because of my work.”
- Mercy Maina, program participant
Board Members - 2026
Ambrose Gandi (Chair)
Andrew Obara (Secretary)
Judith Nyakoa (Member)
David Mulwa (Member)
Anjeline Oriedo (Member)
Leonora Omala (Member)
Kadra Abdi (Beneficiaries’ Representative)
“This project has changed my life. I used to buy vegetables every day, but now I have my own mini-farm in sacks. I save money and use it for my children’s education.”
- Josephine Kemunto, program participant