KENYAN CHILDREN'S PROJECT
A group from St Matthew's Church, Millbrook returned in March 2010 from Kakamega in Western Kenya where they visited a heart warming outreach to abandoned, orphaned and deprived children, some of whom had been 'Street children or Chokora' or scavengers. These street children were sometimes sent out by their impoverished parent to work or beg. Some have been abandoned and others had lost parents due to political unrest or illness. They are sometimes taken in by extended family members but poverty makes it difficult to cope and children find themselves on the streets with its culture of violence, exploitation, drugs, hunger and disease. An estimated 21% of the population in Kenya is HIV positive and life expectancy is 54 for a man and 57 for a woman. Over a million children have lost one or both parents.
Rev Phil Warren and his wife Heather led a the group from Jersey. Accompanying them were their daughters Sanna aged 15 and Emily 12, Amanda Jury, Becky Harrison and Nigel Porter. The plight of the street children was a shocking revelation. In stark contrast was the loving family atmosphere at 'Koinonia' where 21 boys, some as young as 5 years are brought up and taught. Sanna and Emily, Phil's daughters were impressed by the boys' desire for schooling, the pride in their simple school uniforms and the pleasure at receiving the gifts of balloons, socks and other small items that the team had brought with them. They had never had presents before joining 'Koinonia'
As well as spending time with the children in the residence compound with it's schoolrooms, the group went out to see some of the street children who live in appalling conditions. They visited feeding and medical programs and were invited into the homes of local people.
They witnessed the treatment of Jiggers, insects which invade children's feet and cause swollen and encrusted sores on the bare feet of youngsters. The cure is simple, if you can afford the few pence needed for an organo phosphate insecticidal water dip. The children's feet are immersed in the liquid which is extremely painful to bear. A lot of praying went on as the group watched the pain these youngsters went through, particularly as Kenyan children are brought up not to show pain, but with the open wounds caused by Jigger this was almost impossible. In past trips children have been known to pass out with the pain of having their feet treated.
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”
A wonderful answer to prayer came one day when the group from Jersey went to help at a mid week feeding program organised by the local Mother's Union in a rural location. Each week around 300 children are given their only hot meal of the week. This consists of Cabbage and a glutinous maize dish ugali. On this occasion as it was mid week and not an official program, only about 30 or 40 children were expected but 150 turned up! The 'Mama' in charge declared that they would have to be sent away but backed by prayer, the distribution went ahead. As they stirred and served the food Sanna and her mother Heather could see that it wasn't going to go round but as they prayed and dished up they found that the food lasted until every child had been fed. This was a timely reminder of the 'Feeding of the 5000' and the way in which the Lord is blessing this Christian Charity.
It was Stu and Chloe Glassborow who after witnessing the fate of street children in Kenya came back to their church and began raising funds to build a retreat for children in such circumstances. A charity was formed, funds were raised and 'Koinonia' the boys home was built. The building of 'Deborah House' a home for girls is almost completed. Funds are now being raised to purchase a bus to take the girls to the boys' compound for schooling. St Matthew's church is committed to helping to raise these funds and a collection was taken at New Wine Channel Islands Conference in May. Stu and Chloe Glassborow are regular Speakers at New Wine conferences and elsewhere.
Marian Pitt
Tel.721927
marianp@localdial.com
Also
Rev. Phil Warren, 869013