Kenya

Scott, our minister has had links with Kisumu Kenya since his first visit there in 2001.

Scott and another member of our congregation, Stuart Parkins, have visited Kisumu and the Osare Children’s Home in January 2009 and February 2010.

Plans are currently being made to take a larger team out from TBC in July 2011.

The Osare Children's home is a tiny orphanage that is home for around 90 children, most orphans of either AIDS or malaria. Founded and run by James Osare, his wife Rose and a dedicated family of volunteers, it looks after children from the youngest abandoned baby through to early teen street youths who were once part of the estimated 2,000 homeless youngsters that inhabit Kisumu street life.

Kisumu is officially the third largest Kenyan City (after Nairobi and Mombasa) and has an estimated population of 300-400,000, it is believed that 1 in 4 are HIV positive with practically every family affected.  It’s a busy port city on the edge of beautiful Lake Victoria.  Although fairly popular with tourists there is a stark contrast between poverty and wealth.

The home is situated 2-3 miles out from the town centre in a little rural village called Bandani. Facilities are basic, e.g. no electricity, though slowly improving with help from TBC and LIFE, another British Baptist Church, both of which fundraise to help provide for the key needs of this community.

First a water bore hole and pump were installed, then a brick built dormitory; some workshops; an adventure playground and now a new kitchen, store and toilet block are underway.

Until now James and Rose have worked largely unnoticed to provide care and love for those on the fringes of their society - both widows and orphans. This year however they are attempting to fulfil governmental requirements so that the home can be officially recognised by local authorities and receive not only it's licence but also hopefully government support. 

To this end they need to improve the organisation of their administration and upgrade their facilities to give better security & health protection to their children.   Although the local community is generous and James earns extra money through occasional contracts as a civil engineer,  the resources they need to provide kitchen, toilet, bathroom and fencing are more than they have  available – yet always God has provided a way, and the trust of both staff and children is in their heavenly Father to provide. Friends and family in England are attempting to fund raise for them and TBC has been a part of that. 

Scott keeps in touch with James via phone each month and receives updates on the children and how things are at the local pastor's bible school (affiliated to Living Hope Ministries) which he teaches at via phone.  Each of Scott’s visits has had a focus on teaching and training these local pastors and church leaders, though often it is the social needs of the community that affects those that travel with him. So much so that on return most of those that have been to the Osare home and met James want to try and organise practical help for him. Scott is planning a further trip to visit James and Rose, in July 2011. 

Already through sponsored walks and craft sales some money has been raised towards the new building project.  It is hoped that by the summer James and Rose will have completed the work to meet the various requirements of the local authorities so that after 10 or more years they can finally be recognised as an official home for those in greatest need. 

Photos of last year's trip can be found here