Cincinnati + Tanzania = Karama Connection
Cincinnati native Connie Naber visited Tanzania back in 2005 and returned determined to stay connected by creating a non-profit organization for a group of orphaned and abandoned children – Karama Connection. She saw firsthand how poverty and the AIDS pandemic across Africa had left so many children without parents and the overwhelming burden placed on society in caring for these children.
Today, the orphanage still rents a house in Arusha, Tanzania and engages a local staff to ensure the 20 children have a home, healthy food, education, medical support, caregivers and loads of love. The current group of kids range from five to eighteen years old. Connie visits twice a year and often brings along some volunteers. When she’s not physically in Arusha she’s often checking in via Skype from her home in Cincinnati — asking about chores, homework, visits to the clinic, and who’s eaten their vegetables. The kids are thriving and the stigma is fading away.
“I can’t believe its been 19 years!” Connie never anticipated God had set her on a journey of discovery, obstacles, community, spiritual growth, and most of all, pure love. Over the years she’s been blessed with a small group of supporters who believe in the Karama mission. She’s raised enough money each year to keep Karama going, and she’s always hoping to expand the circle of support to cover the costs of school tuition, medical expenses, and taking in new kids. If you want to learn more, contact Connie at connie@karamaconnection.org
