User:Awooster/Anne Owiti

Rev. Anne Owiti is Kenyan health worker, founder of the NGO Kicoshep, and a pioneer in the struggle to alleviate the suffering of the many Kenyan men, women, and children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. Her commitment to helping the Kenyans battle AIDS began in 1991 following her work at a local clinic in Kibera where she observed first hand the virus’ devastating impact. She envisioned a programme that would aid individuals, families, and the local community in addressing the issue of HIV/AIDS and related problems. This vision became the foundation for KICOSHEP and the fuel for the organization’s mission, which is to enable the community with the ability to cope with the impact of HIV/AIDS and reverse the AIDS trend.

Since the development of KICOSHEP, Mrs. Owiti has been advocating for people living with HIV/AIDS, the many orphans left behind and the youth rallying to improve life within their community. She continues to address issues related to poverty, home based care, counseling, national policy development and is now training a number of locally based NGO’s and CBO’S as well as individuals and groups in the private sector. Her efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2002 she received the Frontline Award acknowledging her efforts and the organizations successful implementation of home based care for HIV/AIDS patients in Africa.

Rev. Owiti’s background contributed to her ability to expand and integrate the many efforts needed to implement HIV/AIDS programmes in Kibera. She received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Counseling from the University of Nairobi and later attained diplomas in Office Management and Administration from Leeds University and Management of Income Generating Activities from Haifa International University in Israel.

Rev. Owiti trained as a theologian and preacher in Israel and has a diploma in Community Evangelism.