From Bishop Esther Mwiti

As we come to the end of 2003, I, on behalf of St. Steven’s Children’s Home, wish our readers an enjoyable time. I must confess that God is on our side and I am very grateful for all that He has helped us go through. From a humble beginning with only two orphans in 2002, the Home has in a very short span of time expanded to care for over 100 children. Over the same period. a lot has happened.

Last December, I was able to visit West Virginia through an invitation from one of our great supporters. Bible Baptist Temple. In reciprocation to the same, a group from the same place paid us a visit under the name Kenva Il team.

Apart from the gifts that the group brought to the orphanage, they also blessed the children spiritually and taught them how to maintain high standards of hygiene.

Under Pastor Chuck Madaus* sponsorship. the Home now has an adequate water supply after a new water system was installed. Last but not least, my special regards go to all other people who contributed towards the upkeep of the Home and without whose efforts and donations we wouldn’t have come this far.

To all of them. I say. GOD BLESS (Read Ps 27: 10- 11)

FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR’S DESK

As the home’s administrator. the challenges that have come along with this vocational- job have been very trying. At times events have been very fast. necessitating a wise step-by-step approach. 

With the expansion, the Home has basically initiated three programs. These comprise residential care for 20 children, community care for 30 children, and 30 more children in the outreach program. Important among the three programs has been the residential children’s care program as it touches mainly on the basics of life- food, shelter, and clothing.

The home, through support from friends and well-wishers, has been able to provide these needs and now that free primary school for all has been declared by our government, this has come in as a big boon to the home.

It is expected that the burden of looking after these children will lessen in the future if the past successes are anything to go by.

But the lead question still is: whence is St. Steven’s Children’s Home headed? 

Your guess, I believe is as good as mine. All pointers indicate a family that will inevitably reach the highest of peaks and the deepest of fathoms in their everyday endeavors. However, a lot of spade work must go into this. And as the Chinese say, the longest journey starts with a single step. A spirited effort to sustain this noble work must continue relentlessly. Nothing, therefore, should be left to chance. No one should take a rest to celebrate past successes. Rather, this should be used as an opportunity to gather more spanners to right any wrongs.

RECRUITMENT

Eligibility for recruitment into the orphanage solely depends on the fact that a child has, unfortunately, lost both his/her parents by way of death or otherwise. Recruitment is not in any way determined by the child’s geographical origin, religion, race, or creed. It is purely on humanitarian grounds for it is the Home’s conviction that all people are equal before the eyes of God.

Mrs. Esther M. & Dr. Wendy of KAK.

Virginia and Kids Alive Kenya through Dr. Wendy Bovard who enabled the Home to get a funding from Save the Children Canada’ to the tune of Ksh.412,120 = in June this year 2003.

WHAT THE CHILDREN SAY.

DENNIS NJOROGE: It has been fun living in the home. My life could not have been better.

MERCY MAKENA: My most memorable day is when I watched a cinema screened for us by visitors from

America.

EMMA WANGECI: With God all things are possible. God bless all who make our life in the Home bearable.

JACKSON NJARAMBA: I’m just lost for words. What of the practical lessons on hygiene taught to us by visitors from America?

EMMA WANGECI: With God all things are possible. God bless all who make our life the Home bearable.

SPECIAL TRIBUTE

Our home would wish to extend its warm gratitude to the following for their continued support.

Tara Field of Ol Donyo Farm for her contribution in the way of milk supply, clothing, and field excursions. Second, we also salute Debbie Schachner, an American voluntary social worker at Timau Catholic Mission for her unfailing dedication to the improvement of children’s learning abilities. Also included are Peter Viljoen of Lobelia Farms, Batian Flowers, Home Grown, and last but not least, the Madaus’s family in West Virginia (USA). God bless them mightily

PROJECT VOLUNTEERS

1. S. Wahomeh (consultation – Technical)
2. Julius Gitonga – Pastoral Care
3. Bundi – Pastoral Care
4. Mukunya – Music/ Pastoral care
5. Mwangi – Social Worker
6. S. Gichuhi – Accountant.
7. Zablon Gitonga – Clinical Officer