Greetings, First Baptist Church Tulsa! Kenyan children in Homa Bay are joyfully participating in activities that promote their physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual heath through holistic child development activities, thanks to your unwavering support.
This Compassion child development center at Kenya Baptist Church is providing tangible services such as educational, medical and socio-emotional support to children living in desperate circumstances. Currently, 239 children participate in center activities. While 171 participants have been paired with a caring sponsor, 68 are still waiting to be matched. We are thrilled to present this report on the impact of your extraordinary generosity to these children.
Pictured above, children display a thank-you banner outside their center.
About Homa Bay, Kenya
Tucked away off the eastern shore of Lake Victoria, Homa Bay is home to 8,000 residents. Because of the village’s proximity to the lake, most adults earn their income fishing. Families make an average of $75 per month, and the unemployment rate is 25%. Local homes are usually made of dirt floors, mud wall and tin roofs.
In this community, women and children are especially marginalized and treated poorly. Outside of fishing and selling fish, there are very few employment opportunities for caregivers, making it difficult to provide for their children’s needs. HIV is widespread, and the impoverished conditions place vulnerable children in even more danger.
Through the new child development center, the church seeks to provide economic empowerment and literacy workshops for caregivers; discipleship opportunities; educational support; and health care for children, especially for those who are HIV positive. Your gift to this center makes this, and so much more, possible.
Words of Gratitude From Pastor Joseph
Dear Friends,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. The church and I are deeply grateful for your kind investment in our children’s ministry. We are privileged to share its great impact on children’s and families’ lives since the program’s launch.
We began with 180 children drawn from very vulnerable, impoverished backgrounds. We have been able to pay school fees to keep children in school, feed them on program days, and provide spiritual nourishment to them and their families during center activities and home visits. Through the program curriculum, the children are discovering their self-worth and growing holistically.
The program curriculum is pivotal in children’s lives, fostering change both in conduct and mindset, leading them to the knowledge of Jesus. Today, 30 children have received salvation and are being discipled in the program.
The center has improved our ability to partner with the government’s Ministry of Health through networking, which has helped us give hope to families whose children are affected by sickle cell disease, which is common in the community.
The HIV support program is another great milestone in supporting families struggling to access medical care and nutrition. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is high, affecting sponsored children. We currently support 85 families through this program with nutrition, medical, psychological and social support.
Through our program, caregivers have begun seven groups, where they learn microfinance activities to help sustain their families. We are also raising funds to construct a resource center to train participants and young people in computer and vocational skills. Finally, we are working to acquire reliable access to clean water.
Thank you for helping us set up the child development center, creating more impact in our church’s ministry to the glory of God. We look forward to more success stories as the program grows.
Yours in Christ’s service,
Pastor Joseph
Hands and Feet of Jesus
Pictured below are photos of the staff that serve children faithfully and with their whole hearts. Because of them, children thrive in a safe, healthy and loving environment.
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- Richard is the Partnership Facilitator.
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- Winnie is the head teacher.
A Place of Hope for Children
The following images show children participating in center activities. Your partnership provides children with a safe community for learning and growing!
The church is building a community resource center for vulnerable families in this area.
Hand-Drawn Thank-You Notes
Children at this center spent time drawing pictures to thank you for providing for their needs.
Your Gift Matters
FBC Tulsa, because of your gracious support, Kenya Baptist Church is full of joy for its child development center that will ultimately benefit so many eager children. Your heart for those in need gives hope to children, families, center staff members and communities. Thank you for your generosity and may God bless you!
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- These participants are thankful for your support!
