Defend the Cause of the Orphan and Widow

Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.

Psalm 127:1

When the boy’s home burned down in May, we were relieved that all the children, guardians, and caregivers were unharmed. But we were also concerned about rebuilding. But we shouldn’t have been. We thank God for the overwhelming support from our donors, board, staff, community and Church has given us. This has enabled us to rise up from the ashes and be back on our feet again. 

Our landlord in Molo agreed to construct a new, stronger, sturdier, safer, and larger home for the boys on the land we rent. Using the donations so generously given by supporters, we were able to come to and agreement that will even reduce our rent for the next few years and after that period, our rent will remain stable for another few years. We were thrilled with the arrangement. God brings beauty from ashes. 

The AIC Molo Church sent their two Pastors to dedicate the house in a colourful ceremony that happened last weekend in Molo. The boys could not hide their excitement that was beaming through their wonderful smiles.  “This house will be an epitome of unity, a strong showcase of what we can achieve when we all come together.” said Dan, our high school social worker in Molo. We know that God works all things together for His glory and our good. Join us in giving all praise, honor, and glory to Him for using this terrible situation and bringing it to good for the boys at the House of Hope. 

The dark clouds of mourning has this week engulfed Project 82 family with the sad news of the sudden
demise of Hannah Wanjiku, one of our guardians in our Molo Community in Kenya. She died yesterday
morning at Molo district hospital, where she had been hospitalized; after being rushed there to seek
medical attention, but later succumbed after her heart failure.

She was one of the pioneers guardians in Molo, whose insghts always reflected rays of wisdom that
greatly helped to defend the cause of the orphans and vulnerable children in Molo. She was the
grandmother to Mary, Elizabeth, Josphat, Caroline, Catherine and Susan who are in our sponsorship
program. We applaud the good work she has done in bringing up her grandchildren in the ways of God.
Her dedication to serve God and humanity was exemplary.

So today let’s all take a moment of silence to mourn, honour and celebrate a life well lived. Let’s also
remember her family in prayers in this difficult time of mourning, that God may comfort them. It is in
moments like this that we come together as Project 82 family and support those who are mourning by
offering a shoulder to cry on. Let’s be the pillar of support to her family that is mourning her loss.

Though she is gone, her memories lives in our hearts.
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. May our words of solace be your pillar of strength.
TILL WE MEET AGAIN HANNAH! SHINE ON YOUR WAY HOME TO GLORY!

The International Day of The African Child was celebrated in an event that was characterized with pomp and colour. Some of our children at House of Hope together with our staff took part in this big celebration that was held end of last week in the beautiful town of Naivasha, Kenya.

The June 16 annual event honours the memories of students who were massacred in Soweto, South Africa, in 1976 for protesting against education injustice and inequality in the apartheid regime. It was designated as Day of the African Child in 1991 by the African Union and every year events are organized to promote children’s rights. The Day of the African Child is a great day for all children in Africa and the world; it brings to life most commitments undertaken by African countries to fulfill the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

One of the aims of the Day of the African Child is to highlight the plight of the African children that is a threat to their bright future and also put measures in place to safeguard their future. This is done each year through coming up with a theme; this year, the theme was “Leave no child behind for Africa’s Development.” For this to be realized, education remains a key pillar for African children to thrive and actively get involved in development of this great continent.

According to a recent survey: The children of African women with at least five years of schooling have a 40 percent higher chance of survival. This is why we have heavily invested in the educational needs of our children. That not withstanding, we have also equipped our children on spiritual and life skills. We believe education is key, but with dignity and having relevant skills; they have a bunch of keys that will help open many opportunity doors for them.

We also wish to take this opportunity to reflect on the contribution of our donors, partners, board, staff and other institutions that have walked with us in this journey of empowering our children with education, so that they can thrive and be actively involved in the development agenda. There is a great need to enroll more children in school in Africa and keeping them in school to safeguard not only their future, but also the future of Africa and the world at large.

We all have to uphold, advocate, and defend children’s rights. Education is one of the basic rights for children in Africa and remains to be the beacon of hope for many African children. Join us today in the cause of defending the weak and fatherless by supporting a child’s education in Kenya and be part of the change you want to see in the world.

 

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela

Last month, fire razed down our boy’s dormitory at House of Hope in Molo. We are grateful for the fervent prayers,
care, support, contributions and love expressed to us during this tragic period. Your unwavering support
has made it possible for us to stand firm at this weak point in life and be able to rise from the ashes. [Read more…]

Baby Hatches have been set up recently in many countries to combat an overwhelming number of abandoned babies. Babies are placed inside to keep them warm and sheltered before they can be taken to a police station. However, at the Neema House, we aren’t a baby hatch. [Read more…]

Child sponsorship is an excellent way to help a child in poverty have enough to eat, clothes, and an education. The hope is that one day they will be able to overcome a cycle of generational poverty. But at P82, we don’t want to wait for a future to begin. We know that empowering the adults in our communities means stronger families. Stronger families can overcome poverty in this generation. We aren’t a child sponsorship ministry.

Never Age Out

Some child sponsorship agencies only allow children in their program, and once those children become teens they are asked to leave, whether they are able to care for themselves- or not. The children in our program graduate higher education, such as college or trade school. They become independent, self sufficient adults, able to care for themselves and eventually their own families. But they stay part of our P82 Family and Community. The first young men to graduate higher education have returned as mentors and role models to the younger children. We are seeing generational change in the community.

 

Job Training

Independence is an important part of adulthood. We can’t serve the children in our community without caring for their families. Families in poverty have little opportunities and generational poverty kills any hope that children have. By introducing programs that teach sewing, baking, farming, and soap making to the Guardians, we are giving them the tools needed to be independent.

 

Family Support

Child sponsorship helps children have opportunities and a future, but family strengthening gives children opportunities here in the present.