Orphan Sponsorship Project
Orphan Program - First Step
In July 2006, we invited over 30 local pastors and community leaders around Kiminini to
participate in the Orphan Forum. The purpose of the Forum was to discuss God's plan for the
orphans and to brainstorm on what they as a community could do to take care of them.
A lot of great suggestions and ideas came up. It was concluded that the very first thing to do would be to create an orphan registry to find out how many orphans and vulnerable children actually live in their communities and what their specific needs are. Different methods of supporting orphans in their own communities were discussed. We pledged our support by coming alongside to share ideas, information and resources, whatever we could. The leaders decided to meet monthly to work out a plan to help the children in need - the Pastors' Fellowship was born!
-Debbie Valverde
A lot of great suggestions and ideas came up. It was concluded that the very first thing to do would be to create an orphan registry to find out how many orphans and vulnerable children actually live in their communities and what their specific needs are. Different methods of supporting orphans in their own communities were discussed. We pledged our support by coming alongside to share ideas, information and resources, whatever we could. The leaders decided to meet monthly to work out a plan to help the children in need - the Pastors' Fellowship was born!
-Debbie Valverde
Orphan Program - Development
We have very exciting news to share with you about what God is doing for the orphans
in the Kiminini area. Since the orphan forum in July of ’06 with the interested 32
pastors, they have identified over 1000 orphans in their area who need to be placed
in loving and caring homes. So, along with the Kenya chapter of OWI, we have been
diligently working to put together an orphan program to take care of the basic needs
of these 1000+ orphans.
OWI-Kenya has become a Community Based Organization which Kenya will recognize as a local registered organization and will give them access to the community programs of aid in their area. Our Orphan Program consists of placing the orphans in homes in the Kiminini area, and in January, 2008, we plan for our official launch. Our beginning phase of the Program will be for the 100 most needy of the orphans that have been identified.
OWI-Kenya has become a Community Based Organization which Kenya will recognize as a local registered organization and will give them access to the community programs of aid in their area. Our Orphan Program consists of placing the orphans in homes in the Kiminini area, and in January, 2008, we plan for our official launch. Our beginning phase of the Program will be for the 100 most needy of the orphans that have been identified.
Betty, Marjaana, Debbie, and I visited Kenya in November 2007. We interviewed and hired one program director, 3 social workers, and one office manager for the program. We trained the social workers on their specific job duties in the program. We also met with the pastors and their wives to give them the structure of the orphan program and to educate them on the social worker’s job, so they can work in partnership with the social workers.
We are overwhelmed with emotion and in awe of the start-up of the Program. It is exciting, and I will keep you updated as we go along. If you would like to be a part of financially sponsoring one or more of these orphan children, please go to the link provided.
-Darla Morfin