AMKA
Wake up and Dream
About AMKA
History
Our Support Group in Belgium was founded in 1998 in an ordinary living room, born from a spirit full of service and humanity, at the request of the founder of AMKA in Kenya, Luc Martens. Our uncle, a Brother of Foucault, devoted many years there in the service of AIDS patients in the slums of Nairobi, in collaboration with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes. We first began by sending out an annual mailing — something we continue to do to this day, and which has borne fruit. In addition, since 2011 we have been supported by various partners such as the non-profit Kinderleven–Vie d’Enfant, Gros Brasschaat, and more recently also Gros Tervuren.
Song created by Ritchie Vermeire to support AMKA
Current projects
In January we organized two concerts in support of our project, with a highlight performance by Jean Bosco Safari. With his Rwandan roots, he was the perfect person to give the audience a swinging, feel-good experience. Thanks to the proceeds from these concerts, a computer classroom was installed in June 2025 by the company Close the Gap, with 13 computers for the oldest students of the school. The kids were overjoyed and were even allowed to help with the installation. The teachers received special training to master the ins and outs of IT technology.
In March 2025, 12 Artemisia plants were purchased from the Artemisiahuis Mlango Farm and planted in the school’s educational garden. Artemisia not only helps preventively and curatively against malaria but can also strengthen the immune system during moments of weakness. The leaves are harvested and dried to make tea for personal consumption or for sale.
In 2024 a sewing machine was purchased, and prototypes were developed to replace the disposable sanitary pads in the hygiene kits with washable sanitary pads.
Immersion trips
We offer the opportunity to experience firsthand a unique stay in the Ngando slum in Nairobi. You will be literally immersed in the humanitarian strength that Africa has to offer. Immersion is much more than just observing and talking about the situation there — it also means experiencing how life truly unfolds in that place. The project is supported by a congregation of sisters (Saint Joseph of Tarbes) and ensures that the children can grow up in a warm and safe environment.
You will stay in simplicity with these sisters, sharing in their daily reality such as cooking, shopping, and helping in the vegetable garden. We also give you the opportunity to make use of one of your talents in a cluster project. Together, we will look at which cluster projects are possible, depending on the needs there. In short, you live among the locals, far away from tourists and safari land. Of course, you can also extend this experience by discovering this beautiful country. For this, we are happy to connect you with our trusted guide.
Partners
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