HEALTH EDUCATION FOR AFRICA RESOURCE TEAM

When HEART was established in 2000, the goal was NOT to be among the biggest and most expansive of ministries in Africa. Rather, the goal was to focus sharply on the desperate condition of women with HIV/AIDS, with the realization that if they could be rescued from the fatal grip of the pandemic in Kenya, if they could be coached and encouraged to take their life-saving medicine, to eat nourishing food and practice good hygiene, if they could be taught revenue-generating skills--like sewing, making jewelry, poultry management and farming--these ladies could beat the odds and Thrive, in spite of a society that has shunned and stigmatized them. If they could thrive, then they would have the ability and capacity--with HEART's assistance--to care for their own children. When their children are nurtured and encouraged to stay in school, then their chances of a better life and brighter future extend beyond a dream to a come-true reality. Now two decades later, HEART is seeing the fruit of this commitment in a second generation of young people--the children of these mothers--who are now leading responsible and productive lives. HEART's Founder and Executive Director, Vickie Winkler states the goal in this manner: "The aim of this ministry is not to be shallow and wide; the aim is to be narrow and very deep." The ultimate aim is to see women empowered in such a way that their lives are transformed spiritually, physically, economically and emotionally, so much so that they can provide for their own children and literally impact the next generation and beyond.

HEART’s overall strategy for reaching targeted program goals will be accomplished by unwavering commitment to embracing and building upon these corporate-wide strengths:
• A funding strategy that includes a broad-spectrum of individual giving from smaller giving levels to major gifts, monthly pledges, multi-year commitments. The scope of support includes: corporations, foundations, service clubs, schools and colleges, churches and partnering Para church organizations.
• A structure of leadership and management that: 1) keenly integrates the vision, purpose and decisions of a U.S.-based Board of Directors (BOD) and a Kenyan-based Board of Trustees (BOT); 2) fully integrates the strengths and contributions of Kenyan and U.S. staff members, engaged teams of volunteers, donor groups/individuals, and BOD/BOT, partnering support entities (i.e. Rotary International, Soroptimist, Lions, USAID, etc.); 3) employs frontline workers with knowledge, skills, experience and mission-driven passion to assist in myriad ways with program and management functions of seven HEART-supported Community Business Organizations (CBOs) throughout Kenya; 4) maintain a first-class for-profit lodge (HEART Lodge, Nairobi) for the purpose of a) generating profit to support the mission and programs of HEART, b) providing a well-suited headquarter location for the staff of HEART in Kenya (and visiting staff from the U.S.), c) to offer HEART volunteers and visiting teams a safe and centrally-located facility that comfortably meets the lodging needs over 100 volunteers and guests who come and stay annually at HEART Lodge.
• A programmatic commitment to excellence in every dimension of work and service that aspires to achieve the highest ethical standards and professional best practices possible. This is accomplished by cross-functional team efforts that pay diligent attention to financial accountability and stewardship, accurate and detailed standards of reporting and monitoring programs, events and activities orchestrated by HEART throughout Kenya annually.
• A faith-based, corporate-wide belief in this simple statement: “Jesus Christ is our CEO.”

HEART has been in existence for 20 years with a strong and highly respected presence in Kenya that has partnered with these international service clubs, Rotary, Lions and Soroptimist. These organizations, all of which have a presence in Kenya as well as California where HEART's U.S. office is located have all been part of HEART's past endeavors, as well as current programs of highest priority, including the present food crisis exacerbated by COVID-19. HEART has also maintained solid relationships with many churches, from mega-size to those of smaller size; these entities give not only annually but also on a case-by-case basis depending on the urgency of need. A number of major-giving foundations generously support the work of HEART, as well as a growing donor base of individuals who make one=time gifts and monthly pledges. On the programmatic side, HEART has been committed to leveraging financial support through the engagement of over 100 volunteers who have annually traveled to Kenya, providing labor, donations, instruction, medical assistance, training in nutrition and hygiene, as well as other identified priorities, determined by HEART's professional team of Kenyan specialists, that focus on improving the quality of life for HEART's mothers and children. The Kenyan team operates from an administration base in Nairobi and is supported by a field staff of coordinators in rural areas such as Kisii, Kakamega, Manga, Gucha, and Nyakach.

Orphan Prevention and Self-Sustainability Projects: As of December 31, 2022, the following metrics for cumulative impact since inception (2000) to end of year 2022 have been recorded.

695 HIV positive women (84 new mothers in 2022) and 2,400 children/dependents (355 children in 2022) have been served in the Women Equality Empowerment Program (WEEP); An Orphan Prevention program that provides health care, nutrition, shelter, education, protection, psychological support, income generation and coordination of care.

330 WEEP mothers and 10 NextGen youth have been trained on fundamentals of Bible study and living Godly lives through discipleship.

483 WEEP mothers (93 WEEP mothers in 2022) trained on COVID-19, mental health, nutrition, hydration, immune system, physical activity and improving antiretroviral drugs treatment.

470 WEEP mothers reached through medical assessments and cancer screenings in all HEART locations.

130,704 (7,379 nets in 2022) Malaria prevention nets made by WEEP alumni and distributed by HEART to cover 392,112 children.

20 Community Development Organizations (CBOs) have been trained on governance, leadership and financial management to serve their communities efficiently in 12 regions of Kenya. Six WEEP Centers and one Graduate Resource Center are managed by WEEP graduates.

313,501 adolescent girls (18,272 girls in 2022) have benefitted from Freedom for Girls (FFG) project, which provides a year's supply of sanitary towels, 4 undergarments, and an educational pamphlet for the purpose of keeping girls in school.

886 children (74 new children in 2022) supported with school fees; 4,231 children (334 new in 2022) have been supported with school uniforms and/or scholastic materials; 1,888 children (469 children in 2022) have been mentored and offered psychological support.

255 Maasi girls (16 new in 2022) have been supported with primary school education. The 64 bed dorm protects them from early marriage and gives them the opportunity to continue on through high school and college.

10 youth from WEEP households in Manga empowered in business skills, woodturning and carpentering and now have sustainable businesses for income generation (motorcycle transportation, barber shops, brick making, grocery distribution, etc.).

25 young men from WEEP households have participated in HEART ministry. Lodge profits support HEART program. The Lodge provides vehicles, office space, internet, utilities, security, conference facilities, and a vibrant gift shop that sells products made by WEEP ladies.