Organisation
History
When Jannes Omondi lost his parents at the age of thirteen, his childhood came to an abrupt end. He was thrust into a world of uncertainty, where survival was no longer guaranteed and had to be fought for. The nights grew longer, the choices harder, and the safety that most children take for granted became a distant memory. Within those harsh realities, he found something else: a deep understanding of the silent struggles endured by vulnerable children.
Years later, that understanding would become the foundation of Dream Alive and Care Organization — a life not only for children walking paths similar to his own, but for entire communities facing hardship. The organisation began in April 2023, guided by Christian principles and dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children, youth, and communities through holistic development and sustainable solutions.
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The early years
Born in Siaya County in a family of three children, Jannes was the first-born. His education was made possible through sponsorship support, which allowed him to complete his Bachelor's degree.
In search of refuge, he ran to a local church where a church leader took him in and allowed him to work as a houseboy. He worked there for about two years before his aunt connected him to a children's home through her church pastor. That connection is how he was introduced to a children's home in Machakos.
Working as a houseboy at the local church was a challenging period, but it also shaped his resilience and strengthened his faith. Every task assigned to him was exchanged for food, shelter, and a thin veil of security. Although his basic physical needs were met, he still carried a deeper hunger — for love, belonging, and a sense of future. The church environment also nurtured his spiritual life and gave him hope that his future could still be meaningful despite the hardships he faced.
The founding of the organisation
Today, Jannes stands as both a humanitarian and a fierce child advocate, turning personal pain into purpose and ensuring that, for many, survival is no longer a lonely battle but a shared journey toward hope. One of his key areas of focus is resource mobilisation and partnership development to support children's education.
Beyond education support, the organisation advocates for children's rights against all forms of child abuse, ensuring that children grow up in safe and supportive environments. It promotes environmental conservation, particularly through tree-planting initiatives. It advances community resilience and development through capacity-building programs, including training in humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy. It also supports health awareness initiatives, both physical and emotional, such as mental health support and free medical camps for physical health.
The organisation's target is vulnerable children between the ages of 5 and 17, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes children from low-income families, children's homes, and child rescue centres who often lack access to basic needs such as education, mentorship, and emotional support.
The work today
Through the organisation's programmes, it has been able to assist over 100 children. One of the greatest transformations we witness is seeing them regain their confidence and begin to believe in themselves again. As their self-esteem grows, their performance in school often improves, and for me, that is one of the most meaningful signs of transformation. Jannes Omondi - Founder and CEO DACO
The biggest challenge the organisation faces is limited resources, which has made it hard to carry out its programmes effectively. "There are so many cases of vulnerable children who need support, but the available resources and funding opportunities are often not enough to meet all the needs. Sometimes, we encounter children who urgently require assistance with school fees, basic necessities, or emotional support, yet our capacity to respond is constrained by limited funding," he explains.
Despite these challenges, the organisation remains committed to doing the best it can with the resources available while continuing to seek partnerships and support that can help it reach more children.
The organisation has also partnered with Royal Priest College of Divinity and Humanity, a theological and humanitarian institution dedicated to promoting the Kingdom of God while advancing humanitarian welfare globally. The college offers training in several key areas, including theology and ministerial leadership, humanitarian diplomacy and advocacy, faith-based community development, and ethical leadership and governance.
"Through this partnership, we are now offering a professional empowerment program in Humanitarian Diplomacy and Advocacy, aimed at empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to serve communities effectively. So far, we have trained more than 100 candidates and hope to continue offering this training while also organizing humanitarian missions, including providing education support for needy children and other forms of humanitarian assistance," he explains.
Where we are going
The vision is to expand humanitarian service across the world. "I envision the organisation to grow through partnerships and collaborations so that we can support vulnerable children beyond Kenya, across Africa and eventually in other continents. God's assignment has to be global," Jannes says.
For Jannes, the journey from a 13-year-old orphan to a beacon of hope for others has been anything but easy. But it is precisely that journey — marked by struggle, resilience and purpose — that continues to inspire and transform lives, one child and one community at a time.
Malala Yousafzai once said, "To every child, I dream of a world where you can laugh, dance, sing, learn, live in peace, and be happy. That is the world we should all strive to build for every child," Jannes concludes.
