By Jaki Mathaga

[Nairobi, October 18, 2024] Daystar University has solidified a transformative collaboration with World Vision East Africa Regional Office (WV-EARO) following the signing of a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The groundbreaking partnership sets the stage for a robust framework focused on promoting children’s well-being and strengthening community resilience across the region. The MoU will leverage the research expertise of Daystar University to support World Vision’s Center for Child Well-being, Innovation, Research, Learning, and Development (CHILD) initiative.

The MoU, signed by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban Ayiro and the Regional Leader of World Vision EARO Ms. Lilian Dodzo, outlines a multi-year collaboration aimed at enhancing child well-being through innovative research, meta-analysis, and the evaluation of humanitarian and development projects. Under the agreement, Daystar University will lead research efforts to assess the impact of World Vision’s programmes in the region, focusing on individual, household, and community outcomes. Also present at the signing ceremony were Dr. Mesfin Loha who Chairs the CHILD initiative and is the World Vision Country Director, South Sudan, Lydia Mukaye- World Vision’s Strategy and Program Quality Director, and Ms. Jacqueline Mathaga- Daystar University’s Director of Resource Mobilization.
 

Reflecting on the significance of the collaboration, the Vice Chancellor said, “This MoU is a testament of our commitment to engaging in research that serves the broader community. At Daystar University, we believe in the power of partnerships, and through this collaboration with World Vision, we aim to create actionable insights that will enhance the well-being of children and strengthen communities across East Africa.”
 

Daystar University’s Director of Resource Mobilization, Jacqueline Mathaga, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “This partnership goes beyond academic research; it is a commitment to using knowledge to drive impactful change for children and communities in East Africa. We are excited to join hands with World Vision, an organization whose values align so closely with ours, to address critical challenges facing the most vulnerable populations.”

The MoU also allows for the possibility of future projects, creating an umbrella agreement for additional initiatives between the two organizations. This partnership positions Daystar University as a thought leader in applied research and community transformation, aligning with its vision to be a Christ-centered institution dedicated to societal change.
 

With this collaboration, both institutions are taking a significant step toward ensuring that the most vulnerable children and communities in East Africa are not only supported but also empowered to achieve a long-term, sustainable well-being.