Six Kenyan Foundations Feted

Six Kenyan Foundations were honored with prestigious Philanthropy Awards at the inaugural 2012 East Africa Philanthropy Awards in Kampala, Uganda.

The 6 awardees were honored for their outstanding contribution to strategic social development and to growth of the philanthropic movement in the East Africa region.

Here are the Awardees:

The Family Philanthropy Award went to Dr. Charles Mulli, the founder and CEO of Mully Children Family. Dr. Mulli was celebrated for his commitment to rehabilitate street kids and orphans.

Mulli’s story is that a street child who became a millionaire and later sold off his entire possessions to establish a rescue center for street children, orphans and neglected children.

Mulli currently has 3 running residential children homes, 4 community based child care initiatives and has rehabilitated more than 7000 orphans and vulnerable children.

Read Dr. Mulli's inspirational story here http://dailykenya.blogspot.com/2012/06/dr-charles-mulli-father-to-fatherless.html

The Corporate Philanthropy Award went to the Safaricom Foundation for their outstanding contributions to social development in Kenya and for promotion of philanthropy among its empoloyees and communities in the country.

The jury cited the World of Difference programme and the Pamoja Scheme, as some of the foundation’s initiatives that made the foundation deserve the award.

The Community Philanthropy Award went to Masaai Girls Education Fund that uses Education as a tool to change harmful cultural practices such as early marriages and FGM, which are widespread among the Masaai Community.    

The Fund not only caters for bright but needy girls scholarships but also targets the local men and boys in their literacy programmes.

The Young Philanthropist of the Year Award went to Ephantus Maina of Happy Kidney (HAKI) Foundation Kenya.

Maina’s story is that of an 18 year old who mobilized his 10 friends to participate in a 120km to raise funds to support a kidney transplant for his ailing mother. After a combined 1200km journey the young men raised $650 against the targeted $6,500, less the amount required to support their noble course.  

His mother died 2 years later leading to the birth of the Happy Kidney (HAKI) Foundation run by the 24-year-old.

The Jury Chairperson Award went to Mrs. Phyllis Keino of Lewa Children’s Home and Moving the Goal Posts, a Kilifi-based girls sports and development organization.

Mrs. Keino is the founder of Lewa Children’s Home and was honored for devoting over 50 years of her life to the forgotten children of Eldoret Town.

Moving the Goal Posts Kilifi was recognized for using football to promote leadership among young women.

The East Africa Association of Grantmakers (EAAG) organizes the East Africa Philanthropy Awards.