This foundation has been established to raise funds to provide financial support of group homes and education for marginalized children and youth, where the activities are based on research and techniques developed by Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög. House of Plenty was founded in 1997 as a group home for street children in Nakuru, Kenya by the researcher Dr Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög from Uppsala University.
After having conducted a research on street children and their caregivers, Wanjiku did not only write a dissertation but she also decided to do something about the problems that she encountered in her research. Although there were many existing orphanages in the area who offered food, education and shelter, she found that many children still returned to the streets because they were mistreated in the homes and found it safer on the streets.
Along with 12 street children, their gang leader and with the help of her brother with his wife, Michael and Francesca Kaime, she started a group home in December 1997 where the children wanted to stay.
She also developed a training programme at Uppsala University for caregivers working with marginalized children and held the first course in April 1998 where she taught her methods on how to meet childrens needs, but to do it from the childrens perspective. Her research and methods to rehabilitate and reintegrate street children into society eventually became an international training program within SIDA for caregivers in 13 countries in Africa and Asia. So far, 160 doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, policy makers from government agencies, aid workers and police officers from around the world have taken part of her methods, they in turn continue to educate others, both nationally and in their respective countries. They have also registered and established regional and national networks where they help each other and other healthcare providers on national level to continue to carry on the work based on the training they received.
When the children in the group home in Kenya grew up and moved out to start their journey as independent individuals, Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög and her brother, Michael Kaime started a discussion with local people about the need for educational support for poor children in the area. In 2012 they started a free training institute for poor children and youth in the area around the group home - House of Plenty Vocational Training Institute (HOPE-VTI) together with DGC One AB, a Swedish company who is still the main sponsor of the project. By combining IT, English and Entrepreneurship the children are equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge that makes them ready to compete for the few jobs available, take on higher education or start their own businesses. The vision is that institute also will offer classes including catering, sewing, Tourism etc., while students run small businesses at the school as part of the training. Incomes will be invested in the school to pay teachers' salaries and the goal is that the school eventually will become completely self-sufficient through these micro-enterprises.
The Board consists of: Mr. Michael Camitz, Ms. Regina Summer, Professor Stefan Swartling Peterson, Professor Beth Maina Ahlberg and Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög.
The foundation's charter will after registration of the Foundation be available at the County Administrative Board of Stockholm. By this petition, we welcome all grants to the Foundation through SEB bank account: 5398-106 76 73.
In case of interest and discussion about cooperation possibilities: Contact Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög (wanjiku@houseofplenty.se)
The Foundation is politically and religiously independent.
Stockholm December 17, 2014
Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög, Founder
After having conducted a research on street children and their caregivers, Wanjiku did not only write a dissertation but she also decided to do something about the problems that she encountered in her research. Although there were many existing orphanages in the area who offered food, education and shelter, she found that many children still returned to the streets because they were mistreated in the homes and found it safer on the streets.
Along with 12 street children, their gang leader and with the help of her brother with his wife, Michael and Francesca Kaime, she started a group home in December 1997 where the children wanted to stay.
She also developed a training programme at Uppsala University for caregivers working with marginalized children and held the first course in April 1998 where she taught her methods on how to meet childrens needs, but to do it from the childrens perspective. Her research and methods to rehabilitate and reintegrate street children into society eventually became an international training program within SIDA for caregivers in 13 countries in Africa and Asia. So far, 160 doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, policy makers from government agencies, aid workers and police officers from around the world have taken part of her methods, they in turn continue to educate others, both nationally and in their respective countries. They have also registered and established regional and national networks where they help each other and other healthcare providers on national level to continue to carry on the work based on the training they received.
When the children in the group home in Kenya grew up and moved out to start their journey as independent individuals, Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög and her brother, Michael Kaime started a discussion with local people about the need for educational support for poor children in the area. In 2012 they started a free training institute for poor children and youth in the area around the group home - House of Plenty Vocational Training Institute (HOPE-VTI) together with DGC One AB, a Swedish company who is still the main sponsor of the project. By combining IT, English and Entrepreneurship the children are equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge that makes them ready to compete for the few jobs available, take on higher education or start their own businesses. The vision is that institute also will offer classes including catering, sewing, Tourism etc., while students run small businesses at the school as part of the training. Incomes will be invested in the school to pay teachers' salaries and the goal is that the school eventually will become completely self-sufficient through these micro-enterprises.
The Board consists of: Mr. Michael Camitz, Ms. Regina Summer, Professor Stefan Swartling Peterson, Professor Beth Maina Ahlberg and Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög.
The foundation's charter will after registration of the Foundation be available at the County Administrative Board of Stockholm. By this petition, we welcome all grants to the Foundation through SEB bank account: 5398-106 76 73.
In case of interest and discussion about cooperation possibilities: Contact Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög (wanjiku@houseofplenty.se)
The Foundation is politically and religiously independent.
Stockholm December 17, 2014
Dr. Wanjiku Kaime Atterhög, Founder