Watoto Kenya Hope: Uplift orphans in Nakuru,Kenya

THERE IS HOPE FOR ALL CHILDREN!

I have a passion to help children succeed in life! – especially kids whose access to resources for basic needs and education is limited. The goals for this project are to improve the learning environment at Pistis Education Centre and Children’s Home in Nakuru, Kenya with upgraded classrooms and renewable energy lighting and to help them become more self-sufficient with the purchase of a maize milling machine.
http://cmdpistis.org

A LITTLE HISTORY

About 15 years ago I was stunned by reports of the AIDs epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa and the resulting millions of orphans. It touched me deeply. I had visited 7 African nations as a college student and felt a heart connection ever since. I wanted to do something to help and didn’t know how or what. I would soon embark on a journey that would be life-changing.

In 2004, my husband (who is from Kenya) and I began to make plans to go to Kenya and volunteer at an orphanage. This began the relationship with Pistis Education Centre and Children’s Home in Nakuru, Kenya; and its amazing and inspiring founders, Bishop Laban Wekesa and Rev. Gladys Wekesa. In 2005 we spent 3 wonderful months volunteering at Pistis and fell in love with the children. Sadly, Bishop Wekesa passed away earlier this year.
http://facebook.com/Pistis.Childrens.Home

When the streets of Nakuru town began to be populated by orphaned and abandoned children, Gladys opened her heart and began to bring soup to feed the children. Before long, some of the older kids pleaded with her for shelter. Gladys opened her heart even wider and allowed them to sleep in the small church building where she and her husband held Sunday services.

It became clear to Bishop and Rev. Wekesa that these children also needed education if they were going to overcome their circumstances and succeed in life. In faith, they began making plans to build a school and children’s home. It is no coincidence that they named the school “Pistis”, which means “faith” in Greek. http://cmdpistis.org

THE NEED
Today there are about 180 former street kids who are cared for at Pistis. In addition, another 120 children from the nearby Rhonda slum area also attend the school.

Feeding 180 kids everyday is a daunting task. That task is now supported by the maize/corn and other vegetables (like the kale seen in this photo) being grown on a leased plot of land near the compound. This maize is the main staple consumed daily.

Grinding the corn/maize is a major ongoing expense. With your help, we are planning on purchasing a commercial maize milling machine. This machine will not only provide a great service for feeding the children, but will also be made available to the surrounding neighborhood and thus provide an ongoing source of income for Pistis! A big step on the path to self-sufficiency!

With your help, we also plan to renovate 10 classrooms with new desks and chairs. We also would like to give the rooms a fresh coat of paint and repair the deteriorating cement floors. The upgraded classrooms will inspire the children to do their very best in school.

The sun goes down around 6 p.m. every day on the equator. Betsy, my partner on this project, has a passion for renewable energy, which we intend to introduce at Pistis, with your help. There are 2 companies based in Kenya that are producing the Gravity Light http://www.gravitylight.org and the Little Sun solar light http://www.littlesun.com. These portable lights will replace the kerosene lanterns which give off toxic fumes and pose a fire hazard. They will bring light to the dormitories, bathrooms and outdoor areas, and will also increase the time the students have to study after school. Additionally, there is a business component with Little Sun, which we intend to implement as another step on the path to self-sufficiency.

In October, 2016 I will return to Nakuru with my project partner and friend, Betsy. Please join us in helping to keep hope alive for these precious children! Your donations go a long way in Kenya. Thank you! Asante sana!

Contact either Monica or Betsy at: [email protected]