DALA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Our mission is to work with families to creatively access health and education services so that they may live life to the fullest and have hope for the future. We support families who need it but cannot afford it.
Our Story
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Dala Development Programs aka 'Dala' first started in 2008 as a community based organization (CBO) with a mission to 'help households in in a village in Upper Nyakach Kenya to be financially stable, have access to food, education, healthcare, and to live in loving relationships with one another, the environment, and God. This community needed help as they were facing major challenges that kept them from thriving.
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We were motivated by the Golden rule, 'do to others what you would have them do to you' (Matt 7:12) and following in the example of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), we responded by faith and started Dala.
Overtime, Dala's scope narrowed down to two programs, health, and education and our focus shifted from one village, to multiple areas in Kenya.
In 2014, with a national presence got registered as an NGO with the name Tumaini La Maisha Health Services. In the US, we retained the name Dala Development Programs and got registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The year was 2017.
Overtime, Dala's scope narrowed down to two programs, health, and education and our focus shifted from one village, to multiple areas in Kenya.
In 2014, with a national presence got registered as an NGO with the name Tumaini La Maisha Health Services. In the US, we retained the name Dala Development Programs and got registered as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The year was 2017.
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EDUCATION: AIC Soi School
AIC Soi School began in 2009 as a nursery school established by the community in Sigoti Village. They identified the need to have a school that offers consistency, reliability, and resources. Today Soi School offer education to more than 150 students from PreK to 8th grade. The Mission of Soi School is "To partner with families in training and nurturing pupils who obey God's word, attain academic excellence, and make the right decisions. Soi School is a partnership between Tumaini and Soi Africa Inland Church in Upper Nyakach, Kenya. Learn more here. |
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HEALTH: Cancer Outreach
The genesis of our involvement in cancer health outreach and prevention programs can be explained by a very personal experience in 2009, when there was no information about cancer, no screening services and no treatment options.
The genesis of our involvement in cancer health outreach and prevention programs can be explained by a very personal experience in 2009, when there was no information about cancer, no screening services and no treatment options.
The story of Dorcas.
In 2009 there was a grandmother named Dorcas who had been sick for some time. Widowed and alone, she was only able to seek treatment when someone else had the money to help her do so. She sought help from Dan, the founder of Dala Development, explaining that something unusual was happening in her body. Pointing to her chest she said, “Feel this, it’s like there are stones under my skin.”
We took her to the local clinic and they misdiagnosed it as tuberculosis and gave her medication for it. Without any changes, we sought assistance at the nearby hospital. We could not find help there, and even at the largest regional public hospital in Kisumu. Tests later at private clinic confirmed late stage breast cancer. Three months later, she died. The journey from identifying that something was wrong to a diagnosis took weeks and lots of money.
In 2009 there was a grandmother named Dorcas who had been sick for some time. Widowed and alone, she was only able to seek treatment when someone else had the money to help her do so. She sought help from Dan, the founder of Dala Development, explaining that something unusual was happening in her body. Pointing to her chest she said, “Feel this, it’s like there are stones under my skin.”
We took her to the local clinic and they misdiagnosed it as tuberculosis and gave her medication for it. Without any changes, we sought assistance at the nearby hospital. We could not find help there, and even at the largest regional public hospital in Kisumu. Tests later at private clinic confirmed late stage breast cancer. Three months later, she died. The journey from identifying that something was wrong to a diagnosis took weeks and lots of money.
After walking this journey with a vulnerable, rural woman and unable to ignore the hardships, we found BEST (breast cancer education, screening and treatment) program in 2009. Years later, we offer an array of cancer health care services that include Maisha Mema Project for cancer awareness, and screening at community based hospitals; patient navigation and survivorship case management for those receiving palliative patients at the regional hospital. Our Joanna's House offers room and boarding services for cancer patients. All our patients receive psychosocial and spiritual support in a loving and caring way, just like Jesus Christ did; loving, caring and sharing life giving messages of hope to multitudes of people.
Our Team in The US
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Luke Fogleman, MBA, Board Member/Treasurer
Dan Okall, Msc, Board Member/Executive Director, Heidi Anderson, Board Member, Secretary Cindy Besselman, Board Member Emily Okall. Board Member Jodi L Picket, Board Member |
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Our Team in Kenya
Our Location
In Kenya, the organization’s headquarters are in the Kisumu City. Our Joanna House is located in Ngumo Estate, Nairobi. Our rural outreach activities are currently at Sondu, Katito, Masogo Sub County Hospitals.
AIC Soi School is located in Soi Upper Nyakach.
AIC Soi School is located in Soi Upper Nyakach.
