NYAKA AIDS ORPHANS PROJECT INC

As a part of our holistic human rights-based approach to combating pervasive hunger and poverty, we also serve more than 7,000 grandmothers, through 92 support groups. Having tragically lost their own children to AIDS they are now raising their orphaned grandchildren without social security, health care, retirement, child welfare, or basic housing. Nyaka supports these unsung heroes by providing them a Grandmothers’ Coordinator who trains them on practical life skills such as parenting, gardening, nursing, leadership, and business development. In addition, NAOP has provided many of the most destitute grannies with new stable homes and pit latrines last year, as well as a micro-finance program where they make goods like baskets and jewelry that is sold in the United States. To see samples, please go to https://www.nyakaschool.org/grandmothers

There are hospitals near the villages of Nyakagyezi where Nyaka Primary School is located and Nyakishenyi where Kutamba Primary School is located. However, they are too expensive for Nyaka grandmothers and students. Without healthcare, students miss valuable school days and grandmothers are unable to care for their grandchildren. Nyaka has a nurse on staff at Kutamba Primary School and built the Mummy Drayton School Clinic in the village of Nyakagyezi. When medical needs are greater than what can be provided by the Kutamba school nurse or at the school clinic, We will pay for medical treatment at a local hospital for Nyaka students.

Nyaka also works to provide prevention measures for serious illnesses. We provide life-saving bed nets to Nyaka grandmothers and students to prevent malaria and provide free HIV/AIDS testing to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region.

The Mummy Drayton School Clinic is located in the village of Nyakagyezi right across the street from Nyaka Primary School. It is staffed by two nurses and a part-time doctor. It is open to the entire community and provides services and medications to Nyaka students and grandmothers free of charge. Community members receive services at a much more reasonable rate than the local hospital.

Quote from a former board member and medical volunteer: "From inception The Nyaka AIDS Orphans Project has been about promoting human dignity. Initially this was focused on orphans but quickly included grandmothers. Every program we have undertaken has led to the demolishing of barriers to human flourishing. While there remains much to do, The Mummy Drayton School Clinic will play an important role in assisting individuals and the broader community in preventing and treating disease. There is simply no higher calling than this. Few organizations have the capacity and the reach to make such a dramatic impact on the well being of humanity. Together we are making history. In fact, our organization is the forum where hope and history are matched."

We have a very active Anti-AIDS Choir, a radio program that brings a voice to orphans and grannies, a farm that produces food for the schools, and much more.  Please go to www.nyakaschool.org for more information.