Programs

Agriculture
For several years after his first contact with Kenya in 1997, John Willingham and other volunteers have worked in Oyugis on the many projects. A central fact that became increasingly evident was that the farms in the area simply did not produce enough to sustain the families that farmed them. John and the Hearts for Kenya volunteers found the reasons for the poor crop yield were: use of old seed from the previous year, lack of nutrients in the soil, a lack of means to adequately prepare the fields, a lack of money to buy new seed or fertilizer, and a lack of knowledge of modern farming methods.
  Read more

Construction
The construction program includes a variety of projects that have been undertaken for various reasons: playgrounds, churches, orphanage, retreat center, community center, utility infrastructure and a storage facility.
  Read more

Education
After initially focusing on the recreational needs of the schoolchildren, Hearts for Kenya has turned its focus to nutritional needs, instructional materials and vocational training. Its response to the nutritional needs, as described in Appendix D, has been to extend the agriculture program into the schools. Its contribution of instructional materials has been on-going, often in the form of suitcases full of school supplies being transported to Oyugis on the annual Hearts for Kenya group trips.
  Read more

Nutrition
Providing for immediate nutrition needs was not initially a goal for Hearts for Kenya since the overall mission is to empower people to meet their own needs. However, it soon became evident that malnourishment, or undernourishment, was preventing the Oyugans from doing the things they would have to do in order to sustain themselves. In order to begin making progress on the farms and in the schools, Hearts for Kenya put some of its initial resources into providing food.
  Read more

Orphans
In 1997, on his first trip to Kenya, John Willingham met Daniel Ochieng, a minister who was pastoring the Church of the Brethren in Oyugis. Daniel was also directing a program caring for several orphans. An increasing incidence of AIDS and malaria had helped swell the number of orphans. In 1999, responding to a request from Daniel, John began helping with the orphans program. At that time there were 26 orphans in the program, all living in one small mud hut.
  Read more

Co-op
On the June 2008 trip to Oyugis, John Willingham met with the District Agricultural Officer of the Nyanza district, Pam Kemu. The purpose was to determine all that was needed to officially begin a co-op recognized by the Government.
  Read more

Marketing
One of the major issues facing our farmers as their yields increase is marketing. How will the farmers sell 10 tons of corn? The first goal for the farmers was to increase yields to the point where they could feed themselves and their families. They also wanted enough crops to sell to buy clothing, pay school fees for their children, and supply other family needs. The Oyugis market, which is open 2 days a week, is large enough to fill this need. That first goal has therefore been accomplished.
  Read more