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From Kenyan AIDS Orphans
to Village of Love-Kenya Program
The Obara Family
Since 2005, Runnymede United Church has been connected with the Obara family in Nairobi, Kenya. Leonora and Andrew Obara have raised fifteen children—five born to them and 10 adopted children whose parents died of AIDS. We supported the education of the Obara children and helped Leonora and Andrew provide a stable home through the Kenyan AIDS Orphans Fund.
Fourteen of the children are now educated and contributing to their communities. The youngest, Lauryne (pictured), will graduate with a degree in Electrical Engineering at the end of the year. Read the latest on the Obara family:
As 2025 closes and Lauryne graduates, support for the Obaras will come to an end. But this is not the end of this beautiful and evolving story! A portion of the Kenyan AIDS Orphans Fund supported a larger program that the Obaras started. The Obaras, with Runnymede United Church, plan to continue that work!
Village of Love
In 2011, Leonora and Andrew leveraged their parenting experience and professional skills to start Kijiji Cha Upendo (Village of Love in Swahili), a program in the informal settlement of Kibera, outside Nairobi. Kijiji helps women who have taken in orphaned and vulnerable children—giving these children the education and health support they need to succeed.
Runnymede has established the Village of Love—Kenya Program Fund to continue supporting the big-hearted women who care for vulnerable Kenyan children. Today, Kijiji Cha Upendo helps 135 mothers raise more than 600 children in loving homes. Funding helps families with education support, economic empowerment, health and nutrition support, and other essential services.
Village of Love Canada is the Canadian group (mostly made up of Runnymede folk) that raises funds for Kijiji Cha Upendo. Starting in January 2026, we kindly request that you transition your support to the “Village of Love—Kenya Program” through the regular church channels. The Obaras and the Kenyan children appreciate your continued, loving support.
We will keep you posted on the work here. You can see more at the Village of Love Canada site.