ABOUT FRIENDS OF DAGO
Community-Owned Development. Global Partnership in Support.
Friends of Dago is the U.S.-based nonprofit partner and global support platform for a community-led development ecosystem rooted in Dago Kogelo, western Kenya.
A Partnership Built Around Local Leadership
Dago Dala Hera Self-Help Group was established in 2000 by community members responding to orphanhood, poverty, health challenges, and the need for stronger local systems of care and opportunity.
Friends of Dago, Inc. was founded in 2010 to provide fiduciary oversight, global partnerships, fundraising support, technical assistance, and long-term connections without replacing community ownership.
Today, the relationship is designed around a simple principle: Friends of Dago does not replace local leadership. We resource it, protect it, and connect it to the world.
Mission
To strengthen community-led education, health, and economic systems through sustainable development—ensuring every child and family has access to the resources needed for lifelong dignity.
Vision
Thriving, self-reliant communities where children learn well, women lead confidently, youth shape their futures, and development is owned by the people it serves.
Who Leads What
The model works because community authority, fiduciary responsibility, and global partnership have distinct roles.
Community Leadership
The Dago community defines priorities, local leadership drives decisions, and community members implement programs and provide feedback.
Friends of Dago
Friends of Dago provides fiduciary stewardship, fundraising, partnership management, capacity building, reporting, and global connections around locally defined priorities.
Global Partners
Universities, foundations, nonprofits, donors, volunteers, and other institutions contribute resources, skills, learning, and relationships in support of community priorities.
From Community Response to Integrated Ecosystem
2000–2004 · The Spark
Dago Dala Hera formed in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis, rising orphanhood, and severe poverty. The community center became a home base for care, education, and organizing.
2005–2009 · Local Systems Grow
Orphan care, daily feeding, early childhood education, mentorship, and health outreach expanded around community-defined needs.
2010 · The Global Bridge
Friends of Dago was founded to provide fiduciary oversight, global partnerships, and sustainability support while protecting local ownership.
2011–2020 · Program Expansion
Education pathways, scholarships, women’s livelihood programs, microloans, and the Kenyan Goals Medical & Sports Camp expanded the community’s reach and experience.
2021–2030 · From Programs to Pathways
The strategy evolved into six connected pathways linking learning, nutrition, livelihoods, health, youth leadership, dignity infrastructure, and ethical global partnership.
What We Believe
We move beyond isolated charity toward a living ecosystem where education, nutrition, livelihoods, health, dignity, and leadership reinforce one another.
Community ownership
Ethical global partnership
Transparency and accountability
Long-term systems over short-term aid
Dignity at every step