BENEVOLENT FUND HISTORY
In 1997 an elderly caddy was knocked down by a hit-and-run vehicle on Ngong Road and his leg was badly broken. Some of the other caddies asked Cilla White to help, who arranged admission for him at PCEA Kikuyu Hospital. However as the injury was complex, he also needed surgery at the Aga Khan Hospital, where Cilla was working at the time and was able to get him assistance. This elderly man turned out to have no living relatives at all in the world – he thought he once might have had a cousin in Loitokitok, but didn’t know if he was still there or even still alive. Fortunately the Whites had a spare staff quarter at their house, and he came there to recuperate. To the credit of the surgeons, he was able to walk again after extensive treatment, and eventually even to work again as a caddy. He passed away some years later.
This incident highlighted the precarious lives of the caddies, often threatened by incidents in which their very low and variable income left them unable to cope, and which brought disaster and even death to themselves and their families. Thus, from a proposal made to the Club by Mr Isaac Awuondo, Cilla White and Jackie Ayton, the Karen Club Benevolent Fund was formally launched in 2000 with Mr Isaac Awuondo as the first Chairman. The fund’s income was to come from the annual Charity Golf voluntary donations and additional donations from members.
From then on the Fund committee considered applications received from caddies or the lowest paid staff members for assistance with medical or other major problems or disasters, and was able to assist with many of these. One of the biggest problems tackled was in 2006, when golf Starter Duncan Mbugua, not yet 40 years old at the time, suffered from kidney failure which threatened his life and also the welfare of his wife and two young sons. Medical assistance was sought and it seemed that Duncan would be a good candidate for a kidney transplant; his family was very supportive, raising funds for his treatment, and willing to donate kidneys if compatible. By good fortune the brother’s kidney was compatible and the operation was successfully carried out at Nairobi Hospital in 2007 by member Dr Robin Mogere. Club members were extremely generous with donations, and the balance needed was made up from the Charity Golf Day funds. Since that time the Fund has also continued to assist Duncan with anti-rejection medication, which will continue to be necessary for his lifetime.
The Fund committee also started to look into ways to improve the precarious lives of the caddies, who can never be sure of work and are at risk of great suffering when bad weather (whether flood, drought or just a holiday period) means few golfers on the course. From 2006 the Fund therefore began assistance with secondary school fees for the children of caddies, and later extended eligibility to lower-paid employed staff members. The fund committee felt that these families would have a more secure future if at least some of their children could complete secondary school, without which otherwise the cycle of poverty would never be broken. The policy is that a child once accepted on to the scheme is supported until leaving school. This applies regardless of grades achieved, on the principle that it is better that children complete secondary school rather than dropping out early.
From mid 2008 to 2009 many months of dry weather resulted in less golf being played, and many caddies and their families were close to starvation. Members Joe Karago, Isaac Awuondo, and Jimmy Kimondo generously donated food packages to the caddies at this crisis time, as also did the Benevolent Fund.
A new dimension was added to the Benevolent Fund scheme when Dr Helmut Danner was instrumental in setting up a micro-savings scheme with the assistance of Madison Insurance Ltd through committee member Mr James Wainaina. The idea was to encourage caddies to make some provision for their own future by paying a small sum into the scheme on a regular monthly basis. The scheme provides for a funeral and surviving family benefit in the event of a caddy death, and the building up of a retirement savings fund by the very small but regular contributions. Many insurance companies would not find such a scheme attractive, and the innovative support of Madison Insurance has been invaluable.
Fast forward to 2013, the then Chairman of the Benevolent Committee Dr Helmut Danner proposed during members Annual General Meeting the addition of KShs 1,000 in members subscription which would go into the Benevolent Fund. Members eagerly voted for this.
Njoki Muhoho took over the Chairmanship in 2015. The current Committee Members are Rosemary Njogu, John Njung’e – the Club Golf Professional, Ezra Rahedi, Club General Manager represented by Human Resource Manager and Lee Kimani our Financial Controller.
Included in the beneficiaries list are the staff members of the club who earn below a certain minimum salary.
Presently, benefits provided to our caddies’ families and our staff members include; education fees, NHIF medical cover and Group Life/Group Accident Cover. The Committee also pays out Compassionate Funds towards offsetting urgent hospitalisation expenses and in unfortunate cases of death.
The process of issuance of funds is the result of stringent scrutiny process that includes submission of applications to Human Resource Department. The school documents are scrutinised for authenticity and conformance to the Benevolent Committee Policies. On approval, the Club Pro John Njung’e also validates the Caddies’ enrolment to the club and their attendance regularity. The Finance Department then prepares the cheques which are co-signed between the Club General Manager and the Chairman of the Benevolent Committee.
A most fulfilling activity that happens once or twice a year is the students Counselling and Mentoring Session. It is a most heart felt and emotional day when Caddies holding their children by the hand, bring them over to the Ngong Room or JR Martins House for a long day of conversations, brainstorming, fun and great food. With time, we have learnt that the best mentors are not us but fellow beneficiaries who have made it to University level.
To date, the Benevolent Committee has spent a total of KShs 16,305,855 on school fees on 685 secondary, 72 Tertiary and 39 university students per term. Roughly this translates to 75% Secondary school fees, 15% Tertiary institutions and 2% university students.
We have at least 2 university students whom we have educated from Secondary through to university and have graduated. At least Caddies’ families have also benefited from life insurance benefits.
Thank you to Karen Club Members. You have impacted greatly to the Caddy families not only by offering the Caddies an income, but by safeguarding their health so they are able to continue working and also by educating their children.