Growing up in rural Kenya, Vivian Awuor received advice from Children and Widows Protection and Fellowship Group (CWPFG), which was formed in 2001 to encourage education and healthy practices among girls and women in this remote rural area of Kenya. A few years ago, Vivian took over directorship of CWPFG; recently, she and local high school teacher Kenas Odongo joined forces.
In the 1990’s, Debbie Ullian Kashdan became friends with the family of Kenas Odongo when she was medical director of a clinic in rural Kenya. Impressed with them and concerned for their welfare, Debbie gave tuition support over the years. Kenas Odongo is now a high school business teacher in Kenya, determined to pass on Debbie’s devotion to individual and community progress. He has deliberately chosen to teach at a rural high school for girls at risk of dropping out due to pregnancy and/or poverty.
In 2023, Debbie’s husband, Geoffrey Kashdan reached out to fellow Palm Beach County activist Natalie Andre. Bit by bit, during 2024, Natalie and Kenas developed CWPFG International, with Natalie scrambling to raise funds and Kenas developing a strong system for distributing funds that encouraged active participation by the recipients as well as accountability all around.
In early 2025, joined by fellow NOW members Terry Sanders, Lin Amendt and Cristina Mabrey, CWPFG International, Inc. received an EIN from the federal government, was incorporated in the State of Florida, and obtained 501(c)(3) status for tax exemptions for donors.
We have great hopes for the future, for, as Kenas says (below), when girls thrive, we all thrive.
When Girls Thrive, We All Thrive
By Odongo Kenas, Kenyan Director for CWPFG, International
Children and Widows Protection and Fellowship Group (CWPFG) wants to recognize the challenges that young girls face worldwide. Especially in hard-to-reach areas, girls have limited access to education, given the barriers of poverty, gender-related violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy and cultural beliefs that educating a boy is of more value than educating a girl. At CWPFG, we work to transcend those geographical, economic, and societal barriers in this remote village area. This is meant to empower young girls and women to achieve their greatest potential, enabling them to make positive decisions about their health with sexual reproductive education.
We recognize that our work not only uplifts girls but also their community; educating a girl and empowering a woman means greater economic prospects, reduced HIV risk and reduced inequality for future generations.
The Kenyan government directed that all groups must be registered via its electronic portal. This is CWPFG’s renewed certificate which allows it to continue its 2001 mandate.
