I was born in Nairobi, Kenya in 1944. As a young lad I was fascinated by both Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro both which I could see from our coffee farm near Nairobi. In 2001 I returned to Africa for the first time in 40 years, as a consequence of this trip I joined Rotary. I met Marion Bunch in Chicago in 2005 and joined RFFA as I felt that Marion had the right answers for Rotary’s involvement in HIV/AIDS. In 2007 our Rotary club organised an adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to support RFFA and two other Rotary projects in Africa.

Our Kili 28/8 team of 16 visited the Mathare slums on the outskirts of Nairobi with the Rotary Club of Nairobi, our wonderful hosts in Kenya. We were shown around by HOPE World Wide and RFFA’s Orphan Rescue team in Nairobi. 600,000 people exist here. Here, where all semblance of humanity is all but gone, Rotarians are working hard at saving orphans and giving them a chance in life. Amongst the worst living conditions imaginable, here were Rotarians picking up kids and giving them clothing, food and shelter. Rotary’s RFFA is working in partnership with HOPE World Wide.

None of the team left Mathare without being deeply moved. Some of us were in tears during the visit and I am sure that this visit alone has changed everyone in the team. Personally I am more focused than ever on getting RFFA (Australia) into action.

We invite anyone interested to join us on our next adventure back to Africa is to climb the Mountains of the Moon and raise awareness for Reagan Ondiju and the children of Africa; and of course RFFA:

http://www.mountainsofthemoon.org

Greetings from Australia
John Glassford
RFFA Director Projects
Rotary Club of Coolamon

I met Reagan and hundreds of his friends and fellow students on my first trip to Kenya with RFFA. We were there to offer basic screening and healthcare to Orphans and Vulnerable Children in three of the worst slum areas of Nairobi. My task was to weigh, measure and complete the paperwork for the sickest children as they waited to see our Doctors and Nurses at the Medical Building in Mukuru. 

The sights, sounds, feelings and smells of that week are unforgetable. Thousands of children – Orphans and Vulnerable Children like Reagan, Mothers with babies and toddlers waiting so patiently, with great dignity, for the most basic health care. The sun was hot and the area around the building dry and dusty and water was limited. Still, they waited-some times for days- wearing all the clothing they owned. I was awed by their great kindness and patience. The children were naturally curious, though shy, to see and touch our pale skin and hair. I think I may have terrified some of the youngest one who had never seen someone blond before. They cried loudly before they even saw a Doctor. 

It is impossible to know these children, to see their faces and watch them cope with their daily lives in an environment more dreadful than most Americans can even imagine, and not want to help in every way possible. As we filmed Reagan and his school mates, it hurt and angered us to see a uniform sweater that was more raveled thread than knitting. In the video, watch as Reagan puts on the socks that are not even there to go to school.

Every child living in these circumstances deserves hope for a better future. This hope and their dreams can not be achieved without help…so much help for just basic education and nutrition. Please let these children and their dreams and their needs touch your heart as they have mine. Let us all work together to support the dream of an HIV Free future for every one of these 12 million orphans.

Anne Glenn
Director of Marketing, RFFA

I was first introduced to RFFA when I met Marion Bunch in Washington, D.C. several years ago to dream together about the future. We walked the halls of the U.S. Congress and met with federal agencies to seek HIV/AIDS funding for children in Africa. Those dreams are being realized today and I have now walked with Marion in Reagan’s challenging Kenyan neighborhood. The great good that is being done is evident to all and many children with stories like Reagan’s are being helped. It is our honor at HOPE worldwide to partner with RFFA in this life-changing cause.

Thank you Marion and RFFA.

Randy Jordan, CEO
HOPE worldwide, ltd.

I was lucky enough to be in Nairobi with the RFFA Medical Mission when Marion met Reagan and the rest is history.  Reagan now has hope and a future because of this fortuitous circumstance and the determination of one person to make a beneficial difference in Reagan’s life.

However, there are 12 million Reagans out there in Africa – male and female – waiting for someone to give them hope and a future.

You can be that someone by joining an/or contributing to RFFA and its activities.

I joined RFFA because by doing so I could make a difference and create a small island of hope in that ocean of desperate need.   I joined the board of RFFA because I could help to make that island of hope bigger.

Mark Doyle
Global Chair Rotarians for Fighting AIDS (RFFA)
(A Rotarian Action Group)
Director RFFA ANCHOR Operations Africa

It gives me great pleasure to see this website up and running so the world can finally hear Reagan’s story of hope. Reagan’s Pledge is the brainchild of RFFA President Marion Bunch who has her own personal story of tragic loss through HIV/AIDS. I first met Marion just over 3 years ago. From our first meeting I felt like I had known her all my life. Her passion for making a significant contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS knows no boundaries. It first led her to set up RFFA and in my view build it into the most successful Rotarian Action group ever. 

It is through her tireless activities for RFFA that led her to meet Reagan in my home country Kenya. That story is as touching as it is impactful and is the basis for this site. As an African who has also suffered personal loss through HIV/AIDS, I am proud to have been asked by Marion to get The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation to assist in getting Reagan’s Pledge up and running. 

Our association with Marion through RFFA has helped thousands of orphans and vulnerable children, just like Reagan, have a fighting chance to make it in life and Reagan’s Pledge is yet another innovation that will raise significant awareness and resources to meet the enormous challenge of assisting the over 12 million orphans and vulnerable children living in Africa today. 

Good luck Reagan and thank you for inspiring us all!

William Asiko
President
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation
Johannesburg, South Africa