YWEA Project Is Kenyan Orphanage
Kibera, Kenya has one of the largest slums in the world. Everyday kids are losing their parents to AIDS and being left to survive in these slums. The 2009 Youth World Evangelism Action (YWEA) project in Kenya will focus on the Kibera Kids Center Orphanage.
According to officials with the Church of God International Department of Youth and Christian Education, God planted the seed of the Kibera Orphanage in the hearts of Jim and Deborah Womble in 2001. That seed has grown into a wonderful “Oasis of Hope”. Planted on a high hill overlooking the world’s largest slum – which encompasses 630 acres, the Kibera Kids Center is the home to young boys and girls whose mothers and fathers have died from AIDS leaving them homeless and hopeless. Here they receive care that includes food, a warm and dry bed, clean clothes, fresh water, loving care givers, schooling and medical care – everything a child needs.
“There are two pressing issues that face this orphanage,” stated David Ray of the Youth Department. “Financial shortfall has left its mark on this wonderful and beautiful place. Recently, Deborah cried as she recounted the horrible day she was forced to tell 80 of the children that they had to return to the slums of Kibera because there were insufficient operational funds to feed and care for them. Many of these children returned to abuses such as forced prostitution, hunger, and even death.”
There are currently over 100 children still at the orphanage. “While we praise God for their care, ” Ray continued, “just over the fence enclosure it is estimated that more than 500,000 children live in utter hopelessness. Poverty, hunger, and abuse are the only emotions that many of these children ever experience.”
The Kibera Kids Center has the ability to house and care for almost 400 children, if they simply had the operational funds.
For more information on assisting with this year’s YWEA project, the Kibera Kid’s Center, visit www.churchofgod.org and click on the Youth and Christian Education Web site.
© 2008 Church of God World Missions
