COGRI Nyumbani Founding Community Leaders & History:
Children Of God Relief Institute (COGRI) Nyumbani was established in 1992 by two friends and colleagues; the late Fr. D’Agostino, SJ, M.D., and Sister Mary Owens, I.B.V.M., to meet the needs of HIV+ orphans. Nyumbani, which means “home” in Kiswahili, began as a hospice orphanage for the special needs of HIV/AIDS orphans. In the early 1990‘s Sister Mary, a psychotherapist and Fr. D’Agostino, a psychiatrist and surgeon, had been working together in a clinical practice in Nairobi, serving a diverse community that included people living with the ravages of the AIDS pandemic. They noted that there were no facilities catering to the unique medical, spiritual, social and emotional needs of HIV+ children orphaned by the disease and began COGRI Nyumbani.
COGRI Nyumbani illumined a compassionate and effective model from its inception. As a team of medical and social scientists dedicated to religious service, the founders focused on ensuring that every child received; life extending and enhancing support that helped them understand their unique preciousness, despite the hardships that have visited them in their young lives. Initial services, which still carry over today, include(d):
From the beginning, Nyumbani sought to garner a better understanding of HIV/AIDS as a pediatric disease. The ISO 15189 rated medical diagnostic laboratory and clinic on campus serves as a primary health facility for the children and gathers valuable research information. In 2000 Nyumbani was the first to introduce to introduce pediatric ARV’s in Kenya. The Brazilian Embassy began assisting Nyumbani with pediatric ARVs in 2002. Today, Nyumbani leads Africa in understanding, testing and combating pediatric HIV drug resistance (HIVDR). The world is starting to notice: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28372121 per this excellent BBC interview with Sr. Mary Owens. regarding pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV+ children. It is noteworthy to mention that genotypic resistance testing (GRT), a protocol in the USA/UK, would significantly lower drug resistance by putting children on the specific medication for them at the outset. Sr. Mary and WWA are both currently working to expand testing. The accredited laboratory, equipment and trained personnel are already in place.
Nyumbani strives to equal the standards of pediatric HIV/AIDS care in developed countries. They relentlessly strive to make routine protocols, like drug resistance testing and appropriate drug therapies, available to the 4,000+ HIV+ currently children served in all Nyumbani programs. To this end, Nyumbani purchased its own genetic analyzer to further test and prevent drug resistance. Walking With Angels, Inc. is among those committed to assisting Nyumbani expand resistance testing.
Sr. Mary’s quest to illumine HIVDR in pediatrics was showcase at the 63rd Annual United Nations DPI/NGO conference on AIDS, titled SIMPLY HELP,. 63rd Annual UN DPI-NGO .pdf at which Sr. Mary held a workshop explaining Nyumbani operations. In the book, Nyumbani and the Star Thrower by Eric Goldscheider, a family’s experience working with the leadership and community of Nyumbani as they adopt a child, is eloquently shared.
Children Of God Relief Institute (COGRI) Nyumbani was established in 1992 by two friends and colleagues; the late Fr. D’Agostino, SJ, M.D., and Sister Mary Owens, I.B.V.M., to meet the needs of HIV+ orphans. Nyumbani, which means “home” in Kiswahili, began as a hospice orphanage for the special needs of HIV/AIDS orphans. In the early 1990‘s Sister Mary, a psychotherapist and Fr. D’Agostino, a psychiatrist and surgeon, had been working together in a clinical practice in Nairobi, serving a diverse community that included people living with the ravages of the AIDS pandemic. They noted that there were no facilities catering to the unique medical, spiritual, social and emotional needs of HIV+ children orphaned by the disease and began COGRI Nyumbani.
COGRI Nyumbani illumined a compassionate and effective model from its inception. As a team of medical and social scientists dedicated to religious service, the founders focused on ensuring that every child received; life extending and enhancing support that helped them understand their unique preciousness, despite the hardships that have visited them in their young lives. Initial services, which still carry over today, include(d):
- Medical care, focused on keeping HIV+ children healthy.
- Prescriptive nutrition to strengthen the pediatric body’s immune system.
- Education
- Socialization with any extended family that could be found.
- Spiritual health and support.
From the beginning, Nyumbani sought to garner a better understanding of HIV/AIDS as a pediatric disease. The ISO 15189 rated medical diagnostic laboratory and clinic on campus serves as a primary health facility for the children and gathers valuable research information. In 2000 Nyumbani was the first to introduce to introduce pediatric ARV’s in Kenya. The Brazilian Embassy began assisting Nyumbani with pediatric ARVs in 2002. Today, Nyumbani leads Africa in understanding, testing and combating pediatric HIV drug resistance (HIVDR). The world is starting to notice: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28372121 per this excellent BBC interview with Sr. Mary Owens. regarding pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV+ children. It is noteworthy to mention that genotypic resistance testing (GRT), a protocol in the USA/UK, would significantly lower drug resistance by putting children on the specific medication for them at the outset. Sr. Mary and WWA are both currently working to expand testing. The accredited laboratory, equipment and trained personnel are already in place.
Nyumbani strives to equal the standards of pediatric HIV/AIDS care in developed countries. They relentlessly strive to make routine protocols, like drug resistance testing and appropriate drug therapies, available to the 4,000+ HIV+ currently children served in all Nyumbani programs. To this end, Nyumbani purchased its own genetic analyzer to further test and prevent drug resistance. Walking With Angels, Inc. is among those committed to assisting Nyumbani expand resistance testing.
Sr. Mary’s quest to illumine HIVDR in pediatrics was showcase at the 63rd Annual United Nations DPI/NGO conference on AIDS, titled SIMPLY HELP,. 63rd Annual UN DPI-NGO .pdf at which Sr. Mary held a workshop explaining Nyumbani operations. In the book, Nyumbani and the Star Thrower by Eric Goldscheider, a family’s experience working with the leadership and community of Nyumbani as they adopt a child, is eloquently shared.