HungryForLifeInternational

Edgar Odwaro

Kenya

Edgar is the fourth child of nine, born in a rural area of Kenya. His family was very poor and he was unable to attend secondary education. He entered the work force at a young age, holding many jobs, such as a veggie seller and a librarian/bookkeeper for the youth choir. Saving all he could, he was then able to attend school again and completed a diploma in community development. In 1995 he got a job as a social worker working with World Vision and was involved with several aspects of their Kenya projects, such as HIV/AIDS, child sponsorship and community development. Following further education in Project Planning and Management, he began to do baseline surveys for communities and household assessments in his zone area. In 2007 he completed his community development degree.

In 1999 Edgar married Nellie. They have since adopted two girls: Faith (born 1995) and Vallerie (born 2003), and they currently live in Kisumu.

Edgar first heard of Hungry for Life through an organization called Solid Rock Women’s group, an organization he was working for in his ‘spare time.’ Once he met Dave Blundell and John Haine, he felt compelled to work closer with these men and the groups they represent. After discussing it with his family, he resigned from World Vision and began to work full-time with Hungry for Life as the Kenyan partner.

When asked what motivates him to work with development projects, he recounts a story from his childhood. It was Christmas time and, much like here, there are big celebrations with lots of food. He noticed though that his mothers plate was not filled. When he asked her about it she said she had already eaten. But knowing this was not true, Edgar convinced his siblings to leave some food on their plates. When they were done eating and all the children ran out to play, he hung back and watched as his mother picked the leftover food off of her children’s plates. He says that his mother’s unserved plate motivated him to provide for those who do not have, and to ease the suffering of parents who sacrifice for their children.

Edgar remarried in August of 2010, to Elizabeth Odwaro, and they are expecting a baby.  In December 2010, a baby boy of about 3 years was dumped at his gate by unknown persons.  He took the boy to the police station, and was requested to take care of him until the parents are found. Efforts by the police have so far not been successful, and Edgar decided to take him to Kindergarten, where his other children go to School. Signs are that he may adopt the boy, bringing the total number he has adopted to 5, two boys and 3 girls.