Project Partner

Centrum Narovinu

Centrum Narovinu is a Czech organization with its headquarters in Prague. Its focus is on developing cooperation with the aim of improving education, health care and the general standard of living in Africa. Other fields of activity include contributing to the spread of a tolerant multicultural society, education about the situation in developing countries and the prevention of discrimination and racism. Centrum Narovinu pursues these goals through several projects in Kenya. In Machakos County, a rainwater collection system was implemented in Kauti to ensure community access to clean water (“Water for Kauti”).

The largest project of the organization is the distant adoption, in which needy children are financially supported by so-called sponsors. The financial support is used for schooling and should give them access to education and health care.

The Humanist Center on Rusinga Island (also called Island of Hope) is the flagship of Centrum Narovinu. Most of the children (about 75%) who go to school here are sponsored by distant adoption.

Further information about Centrum Narovinu can be found on their homepage:  https://www.centernarovinu.org

Kennedy Okongo Kennedy (Ken) Okongo studied electrical engineering and received further training in business and management. He is head of Centrum Narovinu Kenya and a founding member of the organization. Together with Dana Feminová he founded the NGO on a voluntary basis about 15 years ago. Today Ken lives near Nairobi, where the office of Centrum Narovinu Kenya is located, which is run by Ken. Despite the great distance to Island of Hope, Ken is very often on the spot and, especially when problems arise, he makes his way directly to Rusinga Island. Ken himself was born on Rusinga Island and is therefore very closely connected to the region.

Dana Feminová Dana Feminová is a founding member of Centrum Narovinu Czech Republic and is still active on the board of directors. Together with Kennedy Okongo, whom she met in Nairobi in search of like-minded people, she founded and established Island of Hope. The core of her work is the integration of the local population as well as the consideration of culture and the local conditions on Rusinga Island. She lives in Prague and at least 4 weeks per year in Kenya. We regularly exchange information with Dana and involve her and Ken in all decisions. In July 2019 we visited Dana and Centrum Naruvino in Prague.