Nairobi Orphan & School Program

How did this collaboration start?

• Rehema Day Care Center (Pastor Erastus Omukhango, P.O. Box 35550, Nairobi-Kenya; e-mail: erastusomu@yahoo.com). Click here to get more information on Rehema
• Kwa Watoto Center (P.O. Box 47192; Nairobi-Kenya)
• Gospel Believers Children's Center (Pastor Patrick Kimawachi, P.O. Box 40967, 00100-Nairobi, Kenya; e-mail: kimawachi@yahoo.com).

To see many more photographs and read more detailed information on each of these important programs, please download the pdf file below (which has more photographs) .

(click here to open or download the pdf file)

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October 2001

First of all, I want to thank all of you who have recently donated toys and books to these orphanages and schools in Nairobi! The pictures will hopefully convey the happiness and joy that you brought into the hearts of these children. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of these lovely and talented children.

My visit was a very touching experience. Thanks to Pastor Fred Afwai and his wife Alice, I had the privilege to visit three programs in the slums of Nairobi on October 4, 2001. At each place, the innocent smiles on the faces of these children contrasted with all the surrounding poverty. These slums have dirt roads littered with garbage everywhere. The class-rooms were all built of simple materials; I could imagine that it can get quite hot inside. The orphans sleep together in small rooms, and many don't have their own bed. It made me realize that life here is difficult, but is also very precious. Despite all the struggles, the priests and teachers who run these programs do their best to provide these children with a home and proper education. Their unconditional love and dedication to these children is inspiring. and I felt that miracles are happening here, Despite all the darkness, there is light and hope here...if we can just provide them with the tools! Although the needs here are so big, it doesn't take much to change the situation here..... Therefore, I was inspired to establish a long-lasting friendship with these children. I hope some of you will also join in our efforts. There are many ways in which you can help:

• Share these pictures and stories with your children, friends and relatives. Moral support is very easy to give! These children learn English, and the older ones are good in writing....so they would love to receive letters and postcards, and are very likely to write back. Perhaps your child can find a life-long pen-pal in one of these children, and both will learn so much from eachother..
• You can provide financial support to these programs in general, or for an individual child. Please contact us for more specific information, or visit the website of our sister organization, Alliance for Youth Achievement (www.allforyouth.org), which has introduced me to these programs. Only $30 per month covers the cost of living and education for a child.
• If you are involved with a school or youth group, please share this information with them. Perhaps a class can periodically send a large envelope with letters and drawings.... or they can organize a fundraising event. For $10, a bed can be purchased for a child; for $1,000 a better class room can be built. A little bit of effort makes a big difference!
• If you or someone you know plans to travel to Nairobi, please let us know, so that some more books and toys can find their way to these wonderful children.

Koen Van Rompay
Secretary, Sahaya International

Please make checks payable to Sahaya International with mention "Nairobi program".
Or you can contribute via our sister organization, Alliance for Youth Achievement (www.allforyouth.org).

Individuals or organizations outside of USA can also send money directly to these programs (see addresses listed above).

We thank you tremendously for your support!!