Wavizi began in 2005 after two children asked for a drink of water. Mike Karabu was seated outside a church when 2 boys who were looking after cattle, goats, and sheep came to ask for drinking water. It was a school day so Mike asked why they were not in class. They had been sent home due to school levies of Ksh 300 ($4 in those days) for both. The boys had lost their father and mother from HIV/AIDS and were living with their uncle who had paid for his own children to attend school while forcing these boys to look after livestock. A “round table” of advisors was formed in hopes to reach a conclusion to this problem as they realized that this was a larger issue.

Shortly thereafter, this group of advisors began with 70 orphans and was called the Malindi Hope for Orphans Welfare Association Self-Help Group. They opened a bank account with pocket change, allowing these 70 children the opportunity to go to school. Most of them were being supported by older siblings and living with extended family.

The team came to understand that the relatives want to take them in and be their guardians but do not have the financial means to do so. In 2006, they began taking local donations for sponsorship which helped keep the kids in school.

In 2007, Wavizi was introduced to Christian Relief Fund (CRF) from the U.S., who graciously stepped in to enable sponsoring more orphans. The registration for Malindi Hope for Orphans Welfare Association Self-Help Group was meant for a smaller area so Wavizi decided to register as a Community Based Organization (CBO) in order to expand their area.  Wavizi Community Initiative was then registered to operate throughout Kilifi County.

Desiring to keep the children with their relatives and find ways to ensure that the children receive an education, Wavizi is able to help the children, their families and their communities today, and the benefits of the education of these students will go forward into their futures.