Kenya
“Every child you encounter is a divine appointment.”
Wess Stafford
The Need
Maai-Mahiu, Kenya, is a small town which lies along the Great North Road, nicknamed HIV Highway, that runs through several countries in Africa. Maai-Mahiu has suffered with an HIV-AIDS epidemic, partly due to prostitution. The results of this epidemic include a young life expectancy and a growing number of orphaned children, with over half of the children orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. In addition, poverty, lack of education, and domestic challenges lead to over 20,000 children being abandoned each year in Kenya. Without intervention, the future of these young lives and the community as a whole remains vulnerable to the cycle of poverty, various forms of abuse, little opportunity for change, and ultimately no reason for hope.
The Opportunity
Valley Light Home is the dream realized and long term commitment of a couple, each born and raised in Kenya. After years of planning and careful strategy, Valley Light Home opened its doors to take in 6 children in August 2011, the youngest little one a child of 6 weeks. The mission is to provide holistic care to children who have been orphaned or abandoned, or from families who are not able to look after them. To date, VLH houses 20 children.
Valley Light Home was carefully constructed to be a home rather than an institution for up to 36 children (infants to 18 years of age). The project is managed by a local staff, including a full-time social worker. House parents live at the home full-time where family life includes providing professional care and guidance for physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs. As some of the children placed here are HIV+, caregivers are trained to administer medication, monitor nutrition, and care for individual health needs.
As part of a commitment to be both economically and environmentally aware, Valley Light Home purchased 5 cows to begin a biofuel energy efficiency program to sustain the needs of the orphanage. The cows will produce the fuel for the generator that will meet all power needs for the home. The cows will also provide milk for the children. Eventually, the sale of milk will become another source of income for the home.
The Challenge
Wellspring was privileged to provide funding for the land purchase, renovation project, biogas generator, and an electric pump for a well to open the home.
This year, Wellspring International aims to provide a grant of $91,199 USD to fund the running costs of the home. The grant will include administrative costs, salaries for the employees, food, clothing, transportation, and school fees.
Please contact us for more information concerning this significant project.