Kickstart recruits experienced Programme Manager for Olturoto Children’s Village
Kenya, May 2014
Kickstart Kids International, in local partnership with Nanga Organisation in Kenya, today announced the appointment of William Odipo as Programme Manager for Olturoto Children’s Village (OCV).
Joining from Koinonia Community Kenya, William will manage the day to day activities at Olturoto Children’s Village primarily responsible for the care of the children and driving the reintegration programme to ensure each child finds a permanent home after OCV. His initial focus will be to build a local team of qualified matrons and support staff.
James Woodward, Chairman and Founder, commented: “Our commitment to provide the best practice quality of care for orphaned and disadvantaged children is only possible with a high calibre team in Kenya. We are assembling a staff of experienced people who share our vision and William’s solid experience in child welfare, counselling and psychology, as well as his deep understanding of the local community, makes him a perfect fit. We are pleased to welcome him to the Kickstart family.”
William has a strong background in programme management initiatives that support the reintegration of orphaned and vulnerable children into family environments. During his career, William has managed a team of seven responsible for over 500 children, coordinated the reintegration of over 100 children back to their families and has worked strategically with key stakeholders including governments, charities, educational institutions and community organisations. At Kiononia, William implemented the Children’s Act of Kenya 2001, the Charitable Children’s Institutions Regulations 2005, The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of a Child and the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child.
Speaking about his move, William said “I am enthusiastic about Kickstart’s sustainable approach to supporting vulnerable children by ultimately empowering communities to help themselves” and that he aims to “help the children discover their unique capabilities and gifts to benefit society.”
William holds a bachelor of Psychology from Egerton University and a Higher Diploma in Practical French from the Kenyan Institute of Professional Counselling. He speaks five languages including English, French, Kiswahili, Arabic and Dholuo.
About Kickstart Kids International:
Kickstart Kids International is a charitable organisation working with impoverished communities in sustainable ways to kickstart the lives of orphans and vulnerable children.
Kickstart Kids International has been working with orphanage children in Kenya since 2007. Kickstart’s second children’s centre in Kenya, Olturoto Children’s Village, will open its doors in 2014 with capacity for 32 children at a time, focusing on reintegration, project sustainability and local empowerment.
The Kickstart Kids International network consists of registered not-for-profit organisations in Australia: “Kickstart Kids International Limited” (ABN: 671533380851); UK: ‘Kickstart Kids International (UK)’ (Charity: 1150472); and Kenya: ‘Nanga Organization’ (NGO: OP.218/051/2009/0259/5860)
