We first launched this effort in October of 2011, using those medical reviews to serve as a basis upon which to evaluate the examination process and gain better understanding about the typical needs uncovered. The exams administered last month provide a foundation upon which we will monitor each individual child’s health regularly.

The examinations were a huge success. The children’s response was great and it helped us to continue to fine-tune our support plan for the children and operational best practices for our employees on the ground in Kenya. We are excited to report, the overall condition of our children has vastly improved in the areas of nutrition, personal hygiene and psychological outlook. We have you, as a child sponsor to thank. Because of you, these children are happier and healthier than they could have ever been without your support.

Once again, so very much we take for granted. Items such as clean water to wash our clothes in, soaps which can disinfect, and insect control are challenges that our children in Kenya face.

Remember as you brush your teeth, or take a nice warm bath to thank God for the incredible blessings He has given us Take a moment a lift up our children in Kenya that they may continue to grow and develop into healthy young men and women.

My Life: By Jackson Kairu

My name is Jackson Kairu. I was born in 1998. As a young child I lived with my mother in a place called Lkuroto. She used to feed us and take care of us. One day she got sick and my uncle called for an ambulance to take her to the hospital. She stayed in the hospital for four days. My sister and I went every day to visit her. On the fourth day, when we went to see her, the doctor told us that she had died. We sadly went back home to report that my mother had died. That was back in the year 2005.

After my mother’s death, I started living with my grandmother. We had many problems. I was not going to school but instead I was looking after my grandmother’s livestock. At that time I had many jiggers (a small insect found in rural areas of Kenya, much like a sand flea. The insect typically attaches itself to the feet and begins to eat away at the skin) and I was very weak.

In 2006, my grandmother brought me to Springs of Hope Children’s home where other children who had been orphaned stayed and were provided with food, health care and education. It was just like a home away from home.

When I came to Springs of Hope, I was cleaned and the jiggers were removed. I was then taken to the hospital and treated. Now am very clean and I have no jiggers.

I was then taken to Muslim primary school in Maralal. I was schooled there from class one up to class five first term. I was then transferred to St. Paul in term two up to term three. In 2012, all the children in the home transferred to PCEA Maralal Academy which is a private school. I am currently in class six.

Jackson Playing Soccer with the other children

It is at Springs of Hope that I get food, school fees, health care and it is where I found a family. I like playing football during my free time and my favorite subject is mathematics. I am working hard in school so that I can pass well. I want to achieve my dream of becoming a pastor when I grow up. To all my sponsors, may God bless you. To mum Grace, the aunts who takes care of us and the other children, I love you all. You have made a difference in my life. May God bless you all.

Jackson Playing Soccer

Let’s look at the numbers: In Kenya alone,

• 77% of the total national population is susceptible to this disease
• 34,000 Kenyan children under the age of 5 die each year because of Malaria
• Malaria accounts for 20% of hospital visits in young children and pregnant women.
• About 3.5 million children are at risk for developing severe Malaria

The United States has long recognized this danger and has for many years partnered with the Kenya government to help eradicate this disease. Averaging approximately $80 million a year, the U.S. has worked alongside the Kenyan government as a part of the U.S. Global Health initiative and a four part plan. The strategy is both to control the spread of the disease by controlling the mosquito population and reduce the risk of mosquito bite for the people of Kenyan.

The plan consists of:

1-    ITNs – Insecticide Treated Mosquito Nets

2-    IRS – Indoor Residual Spraying

3-    ACTs – Diagnosis and treatment through medications

4-    Prevention and treatment of Malari among pregnant women

Our children, Those we care for, and that you support and love have rarely seen this disease and are protected by sleeping under mosquito nets and spraying for mosquitos. Another element of healthcare your support provides coupled with semi annual thorough medical exams.

We thank you for your commitment to the children of Kenya supported through Project 82 Kenya.  You truly are a part of a much larger movement. One that is saving lives, ensuring healthier living, enriching the children’s spiritual growth, and providing education which opens the doors to the future.

Tambaya is the hometown of our Kenyan Child Advocate, Phoebe. We visited the primary school she attended as a child where we played with the children and distributed toothbrushes and tooth paste. The Tambaya primary school is one of a few government schools who have a special needs class. The special needs class was created because of an outcry in the community for help. Phoebe was able to say hello to her 5th grade math teacher.

We then went to the Pentecostal  Evangelical Fellowship of Africa Church. This is the church  Phoebe grew up in. We learned about the history of the church. The tribal sub-chief shared with us information about the community and the Bishop for the region welcomed us. We visited the home of two church members who are in great need, presented them with food and cooking oil and prayed over their families.

Our next stop was a nearby village, Othaya. We visited with Bewomi Children’s Home. Following greetings, the children presented us with songs and music. We played with the children and toured their facilities.

We arrived back in  Nairobi and savored dinner at Java House Cafe, the first American type food in a week . Love the food in Kenya, but nothing like sinking your teeth into a hamburger and fries. We closed the evening with great devotion and worship.

This has truly been an amazing trip. We are so blessed that God allows us to come along side Him and serve. We have been so very blessed by the children and people of Kenya. We are ready to come home to our families as we leave a part of our hearts in Kenya. We will begin our travel home tomorrow night. Love to all our families and friends.

Anita Colley

We flew early from Maralal to Masai Mara, known to many as home to the Serengetti and the Great Migration of wildebeests, zebras and gazelles that occurs annually.

During the flight from northern Kenya to the southwest corner of the country, we saw the awesome beauty of Gods creation from dusty dry bushlands, to rich farm lands of the rift valley, the great Abedere mountains and the plains of southern Kenya. Then upon landing in Masai Mara we  traveled 30 minutes into the park and saw lions laying in the cool grass  in the shade of a tree. It is very unusual for lions to be seen during the daytime.

We have had the incredible  honor to see lions, elephants, gazelles, elon, antelope, leopards, cheetah, vulture whose wingspan exceed 6 feet, giraffes, wildebeast, warthogs, jack rabbits, water buffalo, jackel, hyena, and guineas. Birds where God has beautifully painted their wings with colors that seem to be unknown. We witnessed elephants circling and protecting their babies from imposing onlookers.

Beyond the beauty of the animals, to simply take in the massive land expanse is overwhelming. Everywhere you look, one wants time to stop momentarily so you take in all there is to see. One wonders how God created such a wide variety of plants and animals.

In the midst of this incredible national park lives a tribe of people whose culture has barely changed over hundreds if not thousands of years. The Masai people where the bright red colors of their heritage. They are known for their skills in hunting and as warriors. They dress in elaborate bead necklaces and jewelry. Their  homes are made of sticks and animal waste. Their young men are mentored to become hunters and warriors. This tribe of people seem to be unaffected by the politics of their country and our world.

God’s presence in our lives remains as constant as the Masai heritage. His love is beyond the great horizons of the Kenyan sky. His creation is beautiful and innovative as the animals in His kingdom. His face shines upon us every day just as the sun rises and brings life to this earth, we are so very blessed to be able to see, hear, smell, touch, and feel all the beauty around us. Thank you, great Father.

Anita Colley

We landed in Maralal, were greeted by locals and Samburu tribesmen. We arranged Samburu guards for the plane and traveled the rough roads into town. It was fascinating to see the Samburu tribesmen, warriors and women engaged in conversations among friends along the road.

We visited Springs of Hope orphanage where we played with the infants and toddlers who were home and visited with Grace and the nannies. We went into town, purchased bread and bananas then arrived at Loikas, the slum area of Maralal. As we entered the area you could hear the word spreading, ” ‘Muzungos are here, muzungos are here.” we shared the bread and bananas with hundreds of children. They came to us with torn clothes, no shoes, filthy and very hungry. Yet they smiled, held our hands and walked alongside us. Our team began discussing the obvious absence of men in the towns, at orphanages and in families.

As we were distributing the Bibles to the children of Springs of Hope, 5 men were standing near the fence watching very carefully. We happened to have a few Bibles left over and Hugh gave them to the men. They immediately sat down by the fence and began looking and reading the Bibles. Several men on our team went over and immediately began sharing Gods love with the men. They talked for over an hour. It was amazing to see these men of two very different cultures sharing Gods word. As usual, we think we are called to minister in a specific way, and as only God can do, His vision is so much broader and deeper than we can even imagine.

Trent closed our day with an outpouring of his heart during devotion. He touched each of us and challenged us to pray for the men of Kenya and for them to embrace the Biblical principals for men as head of the households and owning the responsibility of their families.

Anita Colley

Following church we visited our newest orphanage, House of Hope 2. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch with the children, house mums, and the Molo ministry council . This council consists of  Pastor Francis, Pastor Steven, Jane,  Rose and Nick. They shared their dreams for their ministry and their challenges. Jody shared with them the incredible change he was able to witness from 18 months ago to today. The children are happier, smiling, laughing, seeking personal interaction, and wanting  a relationship.

The holy spirit has moved so dramatically in Molo,over the last two years, following unbearable and the horrifying post election violence of 2008. Thousands were massacred and inter tribal rivalries led to millions of orphaned children. Several of our children can still vividly remember the violence that took the lives of their mothers and fathers. Pastor Francis decided then, that the Molo Revival Church would be a beacon of hope . This is a dream today which has now been realized. It is strange to hear the Council say how much we have been a blessing in their life.When all of us involved In Project 82 know that God has moved in a mighty way in our lives as a result of our partnership with the Molo council and the people of the Molo Revival Church.

Our greatest blessing came with the rescue of three siblings age 3,7,8. These three children had been abandoned by their mother and left in the care of their grandmother who suffers from mental illness. It was brought to the attention of the Molo Council on Saturday that the two girls ages 7,8  had been abused in the most horrid way every day for several months. In fact the children were lured with the offer of milk and bread. The hunger pains these girls felt were stronger than the physical and mental pain they were willing to endure. They literally faced survival on a daily basis.

Tonight these young children will sleep in a safe home full of love and surrounded by God fearing house mums. Tomorrrow these children begin physical and mental healing. Please pray for these three children. Pray that they know they are deeply loved. Pray for their doctors and counselors who will assist them along their journey. Pray that other children who may face the same situation are nestled in the loving arms of God.

Tomorrow at 6am we are off to visit a another of our partners, Springs of Hope in Maralal.. As we rest our heads in the comfort of a bed and home may we remember and be thankful that it is by the grace of our God that we are blessed in order to be a blessing to others. We are praying for all of you,as we are separated by many miles, we are joined by our love and faith in our maker.

Anita Colley
Kenyan Mission Team

The group split into two groups for the morning. One group remained with the pastors for a training session delivered by pastors, Carey, Jody and Glen. The second group proceeded to the Molo Revival Church to participate in our Saturday program.

The group who participated in the pastors training were rewarded with deep sharing of how Gods love transcends culture and language. They shared perspectives on topics such as family/life balance, integrity, and intimacy with God. A very interesting concern was raised by our Kenyan clergy, as they perceive the United States loosing the war on morality . Kenyans historically have looked to the United States as a leader in economics, business, innovation, and morality. Now Kenyans feel we, the United States, are not willing to stand up as a Christian nation and challenge the tough issues. They no longer consider the U.S. as the standard to which others would strive. Hum……… Really made us think……And made us sad……..

The team members who spent the morning with  the children at the Saturday  program were overwhelmed with the progress the children had made in the crafts, music and beadwork. Over 150 children participated, each choosing a specific skill to develop. We danced and sang. Tony amazed the children with magic tricks. Matt and Trent were immediately sought out by the older boys who wanted to play. We engaged in Bible Study and after lunch the children presented a music program to our entire team. Team members were able to spend time with the child they sponsor and lasting relationships were developed. For all our sponsors, please know how very much your child wants to establish a relationship with you. They love hearing about your family and would love to receive pictures from you.

In the late afternoon we divided into teams and delivered goats to 12 families throughout the Molo area. Each delivery has its own story, so I will briefly share with you ours. Carey and I delivered a goat to a mother with five children ranging from 1-14. The mother has been very sick with HIV and the older girls have been taking care of the younger children. While the girls are strong, their childhood is immediately shortened as they must assume more adult roles very early. The mother was so very proud and she, like all those who received a goat said that the goat would change their lives. They would now have milk for the family and maybe some left over milk to sell.

It truly was a picture perfect Saturday. There was love, laughter, singing, dancing, hugging, and the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. We are so blessed. I wish ever Saturday could be like today.

Kenyan Mission Team