Makindu Children's Program
How it began
In 1996, Physician Assistant and Paramedic Winnie Barron joined a medical mission in Kenya - at the height of the AIDS epidemic. While volunteering at a rural hospital in Makindu, Kenya, Winnie met a 10-year-old boy named Madona. He had lost both parents to AIDS. Winnie described the gangly, sparkly-eyed kid 'a pint-sized Robin Hood'. He acted like a parent to other orphans, even bringing those who needed medical care to Winnie at the end of her shift.
Madona introduced Winnie to Mr. Kampana, an elderly beggar. Mr. Kampana would give Madona most of the money he made that day, and Madona would buy as much food as he could and bring it to a poor village elder, Mama Ngesa, and together they cooked and fed ALL the children in the village who had not yet eaten that day. They did this EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Mr. Kampana
Mr Kampana embodied MCC. He was malnourished himself and would go without food so the kids could eat.
Madona
Madona, a 10-year-old orphan. Filled with 'Spunky determination, compassion and heart.'
Mama Ngesa
Mama Ngesa was such a spitfire the town drunkards would avoid her.
This was an unlikely trio of saviors: an elderly beggar, a 10-year-old street orphan, and a poor and struggling granny giving virtually ALL THEY HAD for those with even less.
A spark becomes a center
Witnessing this day after day, Winnie thought, "Surely we must be able to do SOMETHING to help." This sparked Barron's idea for the Makindu Children's Center.
Winnie planned the Center, and
with the help of countless Kenyan villagers and friends, they founded Makindu Children's Program in 1998.
Winnie rented a small building where meals could be cooked and distributed twice weekly to the two dozen children enrolled. She worked with local families to place orphaned children with foster parents they call 'guardians.'
Fast forward to 2025
The center is open 6 days a week and 500+ children are fed over those 6 days
A pre-school, vocational school, shamba (farm) with abundant fruits and vegetables, and a solar-powered bore hole for irrigation
All children receive health care, regular home visits, and psycho-social support
All guardians are provided with goats and chickens and taught animal husbandry
What are ways I can help?
Set up a recurring gift, especially through an employer match program
Make a one-time or recurring donation using the QR code
Include Makindu Children's Program in your estate plans
Join the board and share your talents
Travel to Kenya on a trip organized by board members
Spread the word about Makindu Children's Program and Mahjong for Makindu!
Thank you for considering a donation!
Makindu Children's Program EIN 93-1153131
