Welcome to Empower International
EMPOWER INTERNATIONAL MISSION
Empower International collaborates with international community leaders to eradicate the HIV/AIDS pandemic through economic development, prevention education and health care.
WHO ARE WE?
Empower International is an HIV/AIDS international ministry of Pump House Ministries, Ashland, Ohio. The organization's international headquarters are located in Kalimoni, Kenya, (Thika District/Central Province). This area of Kenya was targeted for HIV/AIDS education and prevention since it has a higher HIV/AIDS prevalence than the national average. Most recently, Empower International Kenya staff trained natives from Congo who have launched an Empower International HIV/AIDS prevention program in Congo.
The organization is made up of a volunteer Director in the United States and its Advisory Board, a Board of Directors/Kenya, Director of African Missions/Kenya, Director of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Education/Kenya and nine full time and three part time native Kenya staff. Volunteers also assist Empower International in Kenya and Congo.
Empower International develops programs and services for those infected and/or affected by HIV/AIDS in Kenya and Congo. HIV/AIDS education and prevention is taught in schools, churches, community organizations and through soccer clubs.
Medical care for children in Empower International programs is provided through referrals to local medical clinics who partner with Empower International. HIV/AIDS testing is encouraged through all Empower International programs. Testing is provided through local Voluntary, Testing and Counseling Clinics (VCT) and through a partnership between Liverpool VCT Nairobi and Empower International. Liverpool VCT provides free HIV/AIDS testing kits and training to Empower International staff. Testing is provided on-site and through a mobile unit from Empower International headquarters in Kalimoni.
Through the micro-enterprise farming project, chickens are provided to grandparents who are caring for orphans and vulnerable children in areas where there is a higher HIV/AIDS prevalence. This project is self-sustaining and perpetuating. It provides nourishment to the children and their caregivers. It also provides income to pay for the children's school fees and uniforms.
WHAT MAKES EMPOWER INTERNATIONAL UNIQUE?
One hundred percent (100%) of any tax deductible donation to Empower International goes to the international programs in Kenya and Congo. The cost of the day to day operations of the office in the United States is provided through donations from the Empower International Advisory Board U.S. and Pump House Ministries.
The leadership of Empower International has no personal gain in helping people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Empower International Director and Advisory Board in the United States are volunteers. This group of individuals are passionate about helping others overcome the horrific consequences of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. They have utilized their own monetary resources and professional skills to begin, develop, stengthen and expand this organization.
Why are Empower International Programs Successful?
The programs created to respond to the HIV/AIDS pandemic are indigenous.
The Director and Advisory Board Members in the United States have consistently operated within the philosophy that their role is to come alongside and empower their Kenyan and Congo friends to develop indigenous programs that best meet the needs of the communities they serve. It is nearly impossible for example, to create a one size fits all HIV/AIDS prevention program in Kenya, especially when there are over forty tribes that have their own cultural differences. Some tribes for example, are polygamous, so an HIV/AIDS prevention program would have to be tailored to that particular tribe.
Within only two years, the Empower International programs have impacted over 25,000 Kenyans and over 2,800 children in Congo. The impact and success of the Empower International programs in these countries can ONLY be attributed to the fact that the programs were developed by the natives of these countries for the communities they serve. The HIV/AIDS prevention model is easily duplicable and adaptable to various cultures.
The programs are holistic.
The programs focus on the physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being of the individual. The native staff are trained counselors, medical personnel, educators, and pastors who work together as a team to present a holistic approach to the programs they create and develop. They collaborate with other non-profit organizations and churches to meet the needs of their clients when they are not able.
For example, a partnership was developed between Empower International and two local medical clinics in Thika District that enable Empower International staff to refer children who are HIV positive, sexually active, or have been sexually abused to be tested and treated for HIV/AIDS.
The impact of the HIV/AIDS education and prevention program is measurable.
School principals in Kenya have indicated they have seen a substantial decline in negative behavior and violence in their schools since Empower International's prevention program has been implemented. This is one indicator that the children are embracing and applying the principals and knowledge that is being taught to them.
The programs are pioneering.
Empower International developed soccer teams for women ages 15-50 in Machinery, Kenya. This has provided women in this community a unique opportunity to participate in an organized sport within a predominately male culture. There are very few organized sports in Kenya for women. The uniqueness of these female soccer teams draws people from around the community during games and tournaments, which gives the Empower International HIV/AIDS Prevention Specialists opportunities to share critical HIV/AIDS prevention information.
The programs are duplicable.
Empower International Kenya staff have created HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs in the schools and through the Vessels of Honor After-School Clubs and Soccer Program that are easily duplicable. As a result of a one day training session with a pastor from Congo for example, this pastor implemented the Empower International HIV/AIDS education and prevention in schools in Congo. After training a few volunteers, the volunteers and pastor are teaching HIV/AIDS education and prevention to over 2,800 children in Congo schools.