About JOOF-USA
JOOF-USA is a Chapter of the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation based in Los Angeles, CA, United States of America. The Chapter was registered in 2010 and officially launched in 2011 by the Patron of JOOF, Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. JOOF-USA Chapter focuses on the following two MAIN areas:
1. Maternal Health Care
2. Sickle Cell Disease Management.
Other areas that JOOF-USA will focus on in the near future are:
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Establishment of Multi-Purpose Humanitarian centers to cater for orphans, widows, youth, cultural development.
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Strengthening available Educational facilities by supplying equipment, computers, books etc. to schools.
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Ensuring supply of clean water by digging boreholes
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HIV/AIDS awareness education
JOOF USA Chapter Launched
JOOF USA Chapter was launched in Los Angeles on Saturday 16th April, 2011. The Patron of JOOF and Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga was the Chief Guest during the launch. In his address to the gathering, the Patron gave a glowing tribute of the Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. He noted that Jaramogi Oginga Odinga devoted his life to the service of the great nation Kenya and the people of Africa. As a teacher, leader, statesman and pan-African, he showed, both by his words and by example of his life, the way forward, to truth, to peace and to sustainable economic empowerment. He strove for excellence in all things and never compromised his principles and ideals. His commitment to integrity, and his courageous determination to stand firm in defense of what he know was right, guided his life. His outpouring sympathy with the poor and disadvantaged in society was immeasurable.
The Patron further noted that during his lifetime, Jaramogi was a benefactor of many orphans and other disadvantaged Kenyans. The Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation was founded in Kenya in 1995, one year after Jaramogi’s death and officially launched in 1998 to continue with his life’s work on humanitarian ideals and support for people-centered development. The foundation, he stressed, is a non-profit philanthropic and non-political organization. Its philosophy is embedded in Jaramogi’s Principles and Values. He emphasized that the foundation therefore concentrates on two important sectors – Education and Health for the vulnerable segments of society.
In attendance during the function was Amb. Dr. Wenwa Oranga, a daughter to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Board members of JOOF USA led by Prof. Fred Hagigi, the Executive Director of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Kenya, Mrs. Rose Odoyo. Also in attendance was the Mayor of Los Angeles, Celebrities Mr. Tito Jackson and Mr. Ray Charles junior among other Hollywood personalities.
The patron Rt. Hon. Raila A. Odinga (on the left in the photo) appointed Mr.Tito Jackson (right in the photo) the Goodwill Ambassador for JOOF to promote the ideals of the Late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and thereby support the vulnerable communities.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation USA (JOOF USA) which is the first international chapter of JOOF registered in California in November, 2010 intends to focus on programmes on Sickle Cell Disease management, Maternal Health Care and establishment of community resource centers.
