Our Story - 2007
As one walks or drives down Simba Road, an extremely dry and dusty road during the dry seasons and almost impassable in the rainy seasons, one cannot help noticing the simple housing structures lined alongside the road and the idleness of most of the residents due to lack of jobs. This is the gateway to Likii Village, a sprawling and overcrowded village in the heart of Nanyuki Municipality, Kenya. Most of the villagers are ranch workers who earn $50 a month. In the midst of these villagers are victims and families of those suffering from AIDS and the elderly who are suffering from depression due to lack of a social life or enough resources to care for their children or grandchildren. A popular home brewed beer known as chang'aa has been synonymous with Likii Village for many years and homes continue to break up due to the increasing number of alcoholism and drug abuse among the young and the old.
The Kigano family has lived on the outskirts of Likii village for over 30 years and have come to care for these people as family. Our home has always been opened to the young and elderly who are either looking for a job or in need of company and support.
During a trip to Kenya in 2006 some of the youngest family members purchased some exceptionally beautiful art made out of dry banana leaf and a dream was started. The idea to purchase and auction more of these handmade craft came innocently from Chelsea Kigano (then 15 years) and her father. The money raised from the auction would go towards eradicating poverty in Likii village.
This idea was passed on to the rest of the family members and in 2007 Likii Tender Hearts was formed in the state of Washington.
Our Story - 2011
A people will only be changed through the willingness and involvement of its community. The community of Likii Village, in Nanyuki, Kenya has shown a spirit of change ushering in a new face for the entire village.
At the inception of Likii Tender Hearts in 2007, Likii village was struggling to rise above the stigma associated with its residents due to brewing and drinking of chang’aa (lethal home brewed beer), drugs, poverty, broken homes, depression, AIDS, school dropout, and crime.
With the installation of a new chief who was born and raised in Likii village and support from numerous non-governmental organizations including Likii Tender Hearts, the residents of Likii village have developed a new attitude full of hope and the need to build a better community for the next generation. To sustain this new attitude, organizations such as Likii Tender Hearts are working tirelessly to introduce new projects. As of today, Likii Tender Hearts has introduced twelve programs with five of the programs in Spokane and in Likii village.
Visible accomplishments:
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Chang’aa brewing homes have fallen from 150 to 30
Chang’aa brewing homes have fallen from 150 to 30 •Street lights which has helped in curbing crime
Street lights which has helped in curbing crime•Cleanliness
Cleanliness •New buildings (churches, social hall, and dispensary)
New buildings (churches, social hall, and dispensary)•Counseling services
Counseling services •Social activities for the young and the elderly
Social activities for the young and the elderly
