Report from BHW Kenya Partnership Facilitators

Key Person: Rodgers Ade

Unfortunately we still have not been able to visit Kenya due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Recent Events

Activities

It has been over a year since Covid-19 first hit Kenya and things continue to be grim. They are now grappling with the Delta variant are being warned of a potential fourth wave.  

The home is currently hosting 28 children, 16 boys and 12 girls aged between 9 -17 years. This includes six children that joined the home this year. 14 of these children are in high school and 14 are in primary school. The home is running well and they currently have volunteers coming in to mentor the children and share meals with them. Recently some well-wishers organised an outing to the Nairobi animal orphanage for the children. 

The school academic year has been changed in Kenya meaning the children will not get a break now until April to see their families. Education is getting back to normal or a ‘new normal’ after the initial lockdowns and the children from the home appear to be doing well in their education. 

Personal Stories

During the last national Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examination (KCPE), a child from the home, Angel Risper Anyango, scored 381 marks out of the expected 500 marks. She was the top student in all the three MCO schools and got admission into a national school. The orphanage did not have the funds to send her to the school but fortunately a well-wisher paid her fee for the full year.

In the month of May 2021 a girl aged 16 years called June Njoki was rescued and brought to the home after recommendation from her secondary school principal because of family challenges. The parents separated and the girl was getting support from an aunt who took care of her. The aunt lost her work due to Covid-19 and they got evicted from their rented house leaving them homeless. She has since fitted into the home well and her academic results are already impressive. She was in position one in her class stream of 50 and position 4 in the whole form two class with over 200 students. At the orphanage she now has a conducive environment to study peacefully even late at night and is assured of meals. She is also safe from any physical and mental abuse. 

Current Issues and Challenges

Apart from the general issues with Covid-19 they are also urgently in need of increasing their water storage capacity. They currently only have a 10,000 litre tank and cannot sustain it well. The cost of water has increased due to the pandemic and although the area is supplied with water twice a week they are sometimes missed. 

They recently had a break in losing five fire extinguishers, a wheelbarrow and children’s clothes which were on the clothes line. They are wanting to increase security before the next national election as these can become very volatile. 

They continue to have a large need for provision for general day-to-day upkeep, repairs, supplies etc.

Covid-19 requirements are still a challenge including increased water use for handwashing and general cleanliness. The children also need to have plenty of masks for daily use. Social distancing remains a challenge. 

Prayer and Praise Points

Praise

Praise to God for Angel doing so well in her education. Three of the children from the home sat their KCPE and all passed. They have been placed in government day schools along with the other students during the temporary closure of the MCO secondary school. 

Praise for the volunteers and ‘well-wishers’ that continue to mentor and support the children and help them to grow spiritually, physically and mentally. 

Praise God that currently the children are doing well and the home seems to be running fairly smoothly.

Prayer

Pray for continued provision for Angel to continue her education and finish her secondary education. 

Pray for provision of school fees to ensure the children of the home can stay in their current schools and finish their education. 

Pray for all the childrens' education, safety and wellbeing. Pray that Kariobangi can continue to be a home of safety, love and support for the children. Pray that the children will really know God's love in their lives and choose to follow him. 

Comments

Things appear to be ticking along well with the children’s home. They sound as though they have a few areas they are needing to fix, replace or upgrade but otherwise it sounds like things have now settled since the pandemic hit last year.