Makarios Children’s Home
In 2012, we constructed new facilities at the Makarios Orphanage in Nyeri, which now accommodates over 220 children from very challenging backgrounds—abused, imprisoned, many HIV-positive or afflicted with AIDS. Constructing new dormitories, a dining hall, and a kitchen was literally a matter of life and death. The construction cost exceeded 400,000 euros, funded through donations and sponsorships.
Sophia took the Makarios Children’s Home under its guardianship, and since then, we have been responsible for the home and the well-being of the children, providing them with full board, clothing, healthcare, recreation, and education.
After primary school, we ensure the children are enrolled in boarding schools for secondary education, giving them the chance to socialize with children outside the Home.
Upon completing secondary school, all children proceed to colleges, polytechnics, or even universities. As young adults, they are prepared to move forward and harbor hope for a better future. They officially leave our guardianship after completing their studies and securing a job, becoming independent citizens.
In 2022, we installed solar heaters in all our buildings—a project led by the movement “Empowering Their Dreams.” That same year, with assistance from SIGG Switzerland, we revived the Home’s borehole, enabling us to plant more fruit trees and vegetables. Mangoes, avocados, bananas, tree tomatoes, passion fruits, spinach, kale, lettuce, and other vegetables are now included in the children’s daily diet.
Our new “Olive Tree” building becomes a reality!
With the invaluable support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, we have completed the construction of our building—a significant step forward to improving the quality of life health and education of our children at our orphanage, Makarios Children’s Home.
We are deeply grateful to the President of the Republic Mr. Nikos Christodoulides, as well as the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs which funded the project.
The new “Olive Tree” building includes these precious spaces:
- Pharmacy
- Medical Examination Room and lodging for an in-house Nurse
- Library
- Computer Room
- Classrooms and Study Rooms
We are grateful to the teams of professionals who worked tirelessly to complete this project. We thank our architects Saverios Vrahimis and his team A.F. Modinos & S.A. Vrahimis, as well as Nicos Pattichis who greatly contributed to the design. We have no words to express our gratitude to Christos Tsentas, who devotedly volunteered his invaluable services as the Project Manager and made it all happen. Without his passion and professionalism this task would be impossible. Our appreciation is extended to Anna Iacovou Stylianou (AIS Management Ltd) Chartered Arbitrator and Surveyor for her professional consultation and contribution. We thank also C.Kypridemos QS Consultants Ltd and lastly, we thank our Ambassador in Kenya Mr. Savvas Vladimirou (High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in Kenya), for his valuable support and all our volunteers who worked hard to complete this life changing project for our children of the Home.
