There is calling, then there is career and then there is Passion. Career earns you money and Passion drives you to your calling. How lucky are those whose passion and career flow in the same direction. Uwase Nadia a jovial and strong-willed lady born in Rwanda found herself in Kenya by God’s grace. She joined Daystar University in 2007 to pursue her career in Community Development because her passion is in reaching the community. Her passion drove her to manage a children’s home to enable her to transform the lives of vulnerable children and youth in the community. While studying at Daystar University, Nadia believed that she had a responsibility to help those in need around her. She got involved in activities that enabled her to do exactly what she loved. She ensured that she actively engaged in activities that involved touching the lives of people in need. As a result, she managed to raise funds for a children’s home while still in school.
“I never liked it when someone was sad and especially a child” she said. This pushed Nadia to make a difference in their lives- which would later turn into a lifelong journey. After graduating, Nadia moved back to Rwanda to take a job at World Vision where she worked as an administrative assistant before being reassigned the role of the development facilitator in an education and peace building project. She also worked as a Livelihood and Entrepreneurship Officer. All her roles at World Vision brought her into close contact with people, which gave her satisfaction. “Seeing the transformation of people’s lives as a result of our work fueled my passion” she adds. Mentoring youths and seeing them carve their own pathways always fascinated Nadia and gave her a sense of fulfillment.
Nadia speaks about her time at Daystar with nostalgia. Her experience not only helped her to discover her purpose but also shaped her to become a servant leader. “I was able to work closely with orphans and vulnerable children which made me realize that I always wanted to make a difference in people’s lives” she retorted. Nadia discovered her purpose while at Daystar University and she has been living it every day. In September 2019, after nine years, Nadia left her job in Rwanda and joined her husband in Kenya to pursue her passion.
The Tree House Children’s Home was where Nadia found what she had been looking for while taking care of the vulnerable children. She hoped to create a safe haven for children to play in. Her goal is to continue working with vulnerable children to give them access to quality education, good health and empower them to be able to stand on their own. She is inspired by her uncle Noel who motivated her and taught her most of the things she knows about taking care of others in need. “I am because we are” says Nadia, a saying that she picked up from her uncle.
Nadia’s husband started the children’s home in 2005 before she met him. However, she always had a plan to start one, a dream she shared with many of her friends. She met her husband in 2009 and when they got married in 2012 it was crystal clear what she needed to do.
The home hosts more than fifty children but Nadia hopes that they can expand and provide more room for the children. She also desires to have a garden where they can cultivate vegetable and other crops for ample food supply. The inspiration behind the name ‘Tree House’ is the symbolic nature of a tree to provide shade and shelter. “It is a place where children are safe, protected and cared for” she remarked. Nadia aims at giving hope and nurturing vulnerable children who have been left to fend for themselves. Nadia and the husband are dedicated to impact the lives of the children under their care.
Nadia speaks of her challenges as steppingstones to her goals. Learning from them, she is constantly seeking ways for growth. She believes that people should never give up on their dreams but to keep pursuing them until they come true. She not only embraces this attitude but also teaches the children to remain determined and focused. “There is hope for a tree that has been cut” she says, so no matter the situation one should never conclude that whatever they are going through is unique.
There is no one that you cannot learn from. Nadia believes that everyone has something to offer, they only need to be given a chance. Nadia encourages the children not to give up but to keep trusting God who answers prayers. She desires to be remembered as one who inspired others to become better. She is certain that life is not about getting rich but about becoming a better person.
Nadia has great accomplishments among them was initiating a group for Genocide survivors and perpetuators who finished their jail to work together and live peacefully in the community. This was a success. She also empowered more than 2000 out of school youth in Rwanda to become self-reliant and she was part of the group that pioneered a youth ready curriculum project model which several countries (Latin America and Africa) are benefiting from.
“I would like to see more vulnerable children grow up in environments where they are loved, protected and cared for” says Nadia. She strongly believes that with better care, it is possible for children to grow up with strong values and become better members of the society.
Being an active alumni member, Nadia urges alumni to be involved in the alumni association because the students and the recent graduates need mentors. She adds that the success of our lives motivates the students to work hard. “Students have many issues and challenges and therefore this is the place we can get an opportunity to meet them and let them know that nothing is new and if we made it, they should make it too.” She treasures Daystar alumni and as such most of the contacts that have supported her in the children’s home are Daystar Alumni.
For encouragement and support of Tree House Children’s Home, contact Nadia her on +254 728 265 585
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