Impact Kenya, a new program in 2008, focuses on orphans and underprivileged children cared for by the Shangilia Children's Home and the King's Highway School in Eldoret.
Background: Kenya
Kenya has been devastated by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. For more than two decades, orphaned children were generally cared for by their extended family. However, as many of these relatives have succumbed to the same illness, the number of completely orphaned children is suddenly increasing. In the Vihiga region of 22,500 people, more than 5000 are orphans.
The Shangilia Children's Home - Located in a small village outside of Kisumu, the Shangilia Children's Home (SCH) is the only orphanage in the region. It cares for, feeds, educates and teaches the love of God to about 50 children aged 2-16. Thousands more are on a waiting list for such a facility - they survive in the streets, with a tragically uncertain future.
Francis and Florence Ranogwa began this dream in 1998 as AIDS was increasing. Francis lost 9 cousins and their spouses in a very short time and was heartbroken that their children had nowhere to turn. Francis and Florence took 24 children into their house. Out of this experience, the Shangilia Children's Home was born.
The orphanage provides students with their own uniform and school supplies. Currently, the orphanage has reached its capacity but plans are underway to expand so that twice as many children will be cared for. However, the project is awaiting funding by donors. Increased water and septic capacity has been completed, but dorms for boys and girls await construction.
The King's Highway School - Florence Ranogwa is the director of both campuses of the King's Highway School (KHS) in Eldoret, a community that was caught up in the violence of the recent political conflict of 2008. Up to 160 pre-school aged children through to 8th grade attend the school. It is a valued source of education in the area. This school receives no government funding.
The Ranogwas believe that education is the key to changing the cycle of poverty, sickness and unemployment in the area. Although the Ranogwas, the school staff, the community and the church are 100% supportive of the school, they are unable to fully fund it. The King's Highway School is in need of new facilities and educational supplies such as books, blackboards, printed maps and posters.
International Teams' Involvement
International Teams supports the KHS with funding for food, staff and school supplies. Plans are in the works to upgrade facilities at the KH city campus, and to install a proper sewage system and reinstate the lunch feeding program at the KH rural campus. A 2-story dorm for 60 girls is presently under construction. International Teams provides funding for a neighbourhood medical clinic for SCH orphans and locals. Business management and micro-enterprise training and funding has been made available for local widows. International Teams assisted with the completion of a septic system at the SCH.
The Tumaini Orphanage - In addition, plans are underway to support Tumaini, a small local orphanage for young children started 2 years ago by Joyce Anzema, one of the original Shangilia staff.
Listen to Learn Institute International - The Listen to Learn Institute International (L2Lii), an International Teams program, provides impoverished African Pastors and church leaders in remote areas with audio-recorded Biblical teaching translated into the indigenous languages of Kenya made available on MP3 players. In 2007, the first L2Lii translation studio and office opened in Eldoret providing jobs for several translators and staff. Frances Ranogwa is the Kenyan Program Leader for L2Lii. Click here to read more.
Impact Kenya
