H.O.P.E. Acres Rescue

My name is Festus Muthui Muema. I graduated with a degree in Nursing from the University of Nairobi in 2018. I am the 7th born in a family of 9 siblings. My father and mother are peasant farmers in low marginalized areas of Kitui County in Eastern part of Kenya. Due to abject poverty, all my siblings never had a chance to acquire university education with the exception of one who’s currently in his second year at the university. My childhood was characterized by numerous struggles. I vividly remember missing several meals and lacking decent clothing that not only lowered my self-esteem but also traumatized me. After my elementary level education in 2004, my hopes of pursuing secondary school education were dashed and the only option I had was to repeat grade 8, the final class in primary school. Having performed exceptionally well, repeating the 8th grade one more time wasn’t a plausible option. I ended up at the heart of Kibera slums, in Nairobi. Here as a young boy, I took up several odd jobs such as hawking boiled eggs to make ends meet. Later on I was connected to St. Aloysius Gonzaga secondary school in Kibera through a Catholic church where I used to train mass servers. This became my point of deliverance, the turning point in my life. The school gave me a reason to smile and believe again. Even though I was quite old for high school, I took the chance and decided to make the best out of the “second chance”. I had a welcome opportunity to pursue my high school education.

The school became my home far away from home. I successfully completed my high school education in 2013 and registered for my degree program in Nursing at the University of Nairobi. At this point, St. Aloysius connected me to the Project Harambee founded by Professor Kathleen Harrison and Windows of Hope founded by Isaac Hanna Foundation. These two organizations became the cornerstone for my university life by supporting my entire education for 4 years. To say that they have molded my career into what it is, gracefully turning into a competent nurse, would be an understatement. I gained valuable experience during and after my studies by organizing and participating in several medical camps and health conferences courtesy of my connection with Project Harambee, Windows of Hope and St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary school. Today I am proud father of two sons Harvey and Charlie a weeding that both orgs supported.

The seed that was planted by St. Aloysius was cared for and nurtured by these two great Americans who made sure that the journey was completed in earnest. As a way of giving back to the society, I gave part of my time for clinical practice at Kitui County Referral Hospital where interacted and helped people living with disabilities, youth, women and the elderly and witnessed first-hand their plight and the challenges they go through on a daily basis. Inspired by the values I acquired from Project Harambee, I founded a community based organization known as Hope for the Neglected (HFN)-CBO. It is a game charger in empowering the elderly, women and youth in Kitui West. The elderly and disabled have so far benefited though the feeding program especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our women also participate in doing baskets which they sell locally and to the visitors from outside the country.

Apart from these community empowerment programs, I also intend to vie for the parliamentary seat in my local constituency to represent my people at the National Parliament. I’m strongly motivated by the fact that my constituency needs fresh and vibrant leadership and I have all it takes to do it. Unlike majority of young people in my constituency, I had a priceless opportunity courtesy of St. Aloysius to further both my secondary and university education. Through these avenues, I believe I can make a huge difference both in the health and education by influencing favorable policies that guarantee the youth, women and elderly a future to be proud of. And thus look to further my studies in masters of global health policy and MBA. To everyone who has helped shape my life albeit silently, I owe this and everything I do to you.

So what is Hope For Neglected?
After finishing my degree during Covid 19 pandemic, have not gotten employed due to unemployment crisis for degree holders. Therefore, I wish to study masters in global health policy as I look for job and that will give me upper hand in marketing as employee and employer too creating job opportunities

During my clinical practice in Kitui county I started interacting and helping people living with disability, youth, women and elderly and there presentation in leadership and governance as pertains health added more weight to my quest to study Global Health policy at masters level.

I belong to developing county holding a degree of Nursing sciences from the best University of Nairobi in Kenya. A person with financial challenges and with leadership and management qualities. Having exposed to intellectuals and Project Harambee charity work, I had to think on how I can continue their good work in the hearts of poor families and institutions. I therefore founded Donkey Elimu Project that gave birth to community organization called Hope for Neglected (HFN)-CBO. It is a game changer in achieving SDGs, Universal Health coverage though job opportunities, business ideas, education and empowering women and youth activities in Kitui west."


THE HFN-CBO MAIN OBJECTIVE:
To build a business Centre of love for the neglected, stigmatized, traumatized and hungry (youth, women, elderly and persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) with hidden abilities and talents that improve country economy in creating jobs to eradicate poverty and improve employment.

Generally we have the following departments: Donkey Elimu Project for creating job opportunities in order to reduce unemployment crisis and promote community Education.

We also have Magical Weavers group of women doing baskets and sell to locals and Americans.

we have feeding program for needy elderly that has seen many receive law food during Covid 19.

we intend to have Youth department with big farm activity for dry land farming, and conserve the environment. The same youth will enter in business and Entrepreneurship program and trainings for business sustainability.

Our Textile Centre has helped in fighting Covid 19 making masks and creating job opportunities. It echoes what the Governor of Kitui Hon. Charity Ngilu did by opening KICOTEC industry for textile.

Persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) Centre. They have benefited from our feeding program and get circled wheelchairs and crutches. They are starting poultry farming program as a tool of income for their account.

Lastly, Health department. We intend to have clinic that will be treating the disabled free while community receive subsidized cost friendly care. It will provide jobs to project Harambee graduates.

we are raising funds for:
1. Build Centre for disabled
2. Drilling water project
3. Suitable materials
4. Food for disabled
5. Care for the disabled who need total nursing care.
6. Teachers, trainers of different levels
7. Creating employment to youth
Total budget of $35821.12
Through this we are sure to reduce Covid 19 risks, achieve SDG 1,2,3 and achieve universal health coverage using majority in the community. Community is the most ingredient of public health and economic determinants.

I started volunteering for H.O.P.E Acres Rescue almost a year ago in an effort to get back in touch with my roots. I decided to really "get involved" and not hang out on the sidelines like I have before. I joined the team of incredible people who have committed to feeding the rescues 365 days a year, rain or shine, twice a day. It's a wonderful challenge and an incredible bond that forms between team members and between us and the horses. To bond with an animal that has no real reason to trust you is life-changing and these people and these horses have changed my life in wonderful ways.

This team is SOOO amazing! We've been volunteering here for about a year, and are so humbled and awed by the fantastic work that H.O.P.E. does!

I love working with HOPE Acres! They are an incredible group of selfless people truly making a difference in the SC equine community. I especially loved being a part of the Partner Program last year and getting to bond with a special rescue while learning about horse behavior and training. This rescue does an excellent job of getting the volunteers involved with the horses too, not just with the chores.

After my husband passed away, I was looking for something to occupy my time but be worthwhile too. I was so very lucky to find this organization. Not only are the owners and volunteers dedicated to the exhausting work it takes to keep this farm running, but the effort that is expended to get these beautiful horses back on their feet is outstanding.

I became a volunteer about three years ago but had never seen the hurt and suffering these poor horses had gone through. My very first horse that was emaciated was Chance. His hip bones were almost breaking through his skin he was so malnourished. It just broke my heart. As I watch and worked with the volunteers and saw their love for these beautiful animals, I observed the change in Chance. He not only became thicker in girth, but his spirit and love returned. I credit the people working each and everyday with his gentle recovery. Each and every horse brought to H.O.P.E. is treated with love, kindness and a compassion beyond anything I could have dreamed.
Much of the money used to feed, vaccinate and care for these equines is either by donations or by fund raisers we have every year. Please, if you are looking to donate or even if you are not, consider H.O.P.E. Acres as your pledge to assist us in continuing the work needed in this area. These beautiful animals have so much love to give and so do our volunteers. We need your love and support also. Thank you for considering our horse rescue.