November 27, 2008 by David-Kenya.

It was on a cool moonlit night in the early hours of the morning when they came; a band of cowards, unwashed soldiers of terror slinking through the darkness down the footpaths and through the rusty barbwire fences. They carried an assortment of hand weapons; clubs and big knives called pangas. The group stopped and lit cigarettes and mumbled in hushed tones. Some of them reeked of cheap beer, their liquid courage for the night.

In the small stone farmhouse, the six children huddled in sleep. Their parents in another room, heard the dogs barking. They were always barking, sometimes at other animals looking for scraps of food and sometimes because of people passing by and sometimes they were thieves, trespassing for whatever they could lay their hands on and the dogs usually chased them away. This night would be somewhat different.

These miscreants were sent by unknowns like errand boys to deliver a message of fear.

They chased the dogs with stones, then hammered on the front door with the butts of their weapons and broke the glass panes on the windows and shouted to open the door.

The oldest of the six children, 17-year-old David, rallied the others and they barricaded the steel door with furniture. Minutes went by as the door pounding continued with the shouts of “open the door or we’ll kill all of you”.

On the road near the farmhouse, passing police, on their way to collect a body for burial, heard the noises and barking dogs and the sentry heard their vehicle, as in most of these gang attacks, a sentry is posted, to alert the others. The police used the rickety gate as the thugs broke into a run. They fired warning shots and yelled to stop. The brave boys ran even faster, splitting up, for they knew that in stopping, they might catch a bullet. Before bolting, they shouted to the occupants in the farmhouse that they would be back.

The attack occurred in September 1997. Two weeks later, David’s family received a handwritten note. It ordered them to leave or they would all be killed. It was only luck, that the police were there earlier but what of the next time—would they be as lucky?

They must leave, they agreed, and they packed what they could carry and came to the house of a relative in the dusty and meagrely developed town of Ongata Rongai about 15 miles southwest of Nairobi and moved into a small storage room. They would never return to Subukia and their farmhouse home.

But more troubles were on the way for this family as they struggled to find a means to survive. David’s father fell short in his ability to provide for them as he looked for work. With no particular skills, the jobs he took fell far short of what they needed. David and his brothers and sisters needed to attend school and there was no money for school fees. David took on various jobs at construction sites and hauling jerry cans of water to sell at a mere 10 shillings each.

His father also drank more and more, leaving less and less for food. He became an alcoholic, leaving the breadwinning to his wife. The other kids pitched in and did what they could. His sister did laundry for potatoes.

A teacher from an orphanage in the area heard about him and decided to help. Christ Cares Centre gave them what they could now and then and eventually raised enough money for David to return to school, thus demonstrating they were committed to assisting.

The long and tortuous days dragged by as the school fees were finally paid and he could finish his last year and amazingly attained a B average in his final exams. During these days after school, David found work, albeit short term as a tout or conductor with a matatu or public service vehicle, even entered the army as an athlete at Kibiko training camp. Even this was short term for without him, his 5 siblings were going hungry.

After the exams in 2001, and the good news of his high score, he found his ailing mother diagnosed with diabetes and now a new problem; raising money for her medication, for she was insulin dependant. This sad situation went on as she gradually became worse with episodes of seizures that drained her energy and damaged her organs. Between trying to feed the family, and purchase the expensive insulin and keep himself healthy, he would fall asleep before his head hit the pillow. David fought hard to keep her in daily doses but there were too many gaps in between; it was hopeless, and she finally succumbed. He was now the head of a dwindling family, (the youngest was still a toddler) in their one room home in Rongai, because his father took up with another woman and abandoned the family.

Christ Cares Centre, although falling short of funds to help David’s mother, was able to raise money to help his family now. They tried to get funds to send him to a college or trade school and he was actually able to do a year in Kenya Polytechnic in Nairobi in a gruelling class and work schedule. The public transport fees to and from the city sapped his meagre wages.

A promising break came when he was able to e-mail a cousin living in London who pointed him to a man in Nairobi who ran an NGO that helped bright and needy young people get an education. David knew he needed to set a base for his life so he could help his family and help others, so he found this man.

His name was Ngarari Mwaura. David had prayed hard for help, for hope and for a small miracle; and here it was, he was going to university in the United States.

Now for someone having never left the general area of Central Province of Kenya, the United States was like Dorothy finding Oz. It was confusing, mesmerising, and so full of white people. For David, going so far away for the first time, was an adventure and a half. He now had to make his way to Utah State University and make the deadline to register: another adventure! He did it but soon found he just could not afford to pay the stiff fees of $7000 per semester and so, with some difficulty, he transferred to Wayne County Community College in Michigan where he finally settled down for four years. He volunteered to help other students, primarily Kenyans who were fortunate enough to come to this school. And between this job and working in a campus restaurant, his classes and burying himself in the books, the time passed quicker than ever before. Amazingly, he maintained his B average.

From the outset, David had built a vision that he fervently wanted to give back to the community, to the poor and marginalised young who had no future. He was fortunate; there were millions at home without a chance who would die in miserable poverty. They were not even a number there. He talked about it constantly and in his third year, determined now more than ever, he talked with local church priest who agreed to help him raise funds to buy computers and ship them to Kenya. He would start a computer school that offered free courses to those unable to pay. To give them this chance to get better jobs and perhaps finish or continue their education.

In early 2008, despite the political furore, the fighting, deaths and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Kenyans, David Chege Njoroge returned, diploma in hand and with some fifty new and used computers, clothing and shoes, opened his computer college in Ongata Rongai. He’d beaten Goliath, the system that suppresses millions of Kenyans every day.

But David still faces the difficult task of maintaining this school. Of paying the rent, electricity and the fine teachers working there.

I met him there, at his computer college. one morning after reading an article about him in an African publication called Parents Magazine. I am a writer and my wife, who is Maasai, showed me the piece thinking I might be able to assist him somehow. After two hours, I was thoroughly impressed with this young man and decided to hitch my horse to his wagon. This computer school, I learned, was just the tip of the berg. David intends to build a school or institute that will house 300 students per full term of 9 months, who are impoverished and marginalised and teach them skills and a trade with which they can make a living with and all of it is completely free of any fees. A micro-finance system would be set up for those wanting to start their own businesses and a business course is provided. Counselling courses on HIV/AIDS, proper nutrition, family planning, gender equity and a host of others along with a curriculum such as automotive mechanics, welding and metal fabrication, carpentry, masonry, electrician/electronics, photography and beautician and cosmetology, for a total of 17 courses. This school will be called Careers for Life Institute. David is hoping to put this together this year and it’s a good bet he will he will.

We have registered NGO (non government organisation) to manage these operations. We have an office along Mombasa Road, Near Nairobi. We plan to come to the U.S. sometime this summer to fundraise and register the NGO as a tax exempt charity. This marvellous plan will not break this horrendous cycle of poverty but it will put a sizeable dent in it. Instead of facing the bleak and very dismal future in poverty, these young people can build their own future and give the next generation a chance. This will not by any means, be the only school. Plans for other areas in Kenya and Rwanda, Sudan, Burundi are being discussed.

But for now, David must keep this computer school open. As of this writing, the school is teaching nearly 70 students and a long list of others are waiting. The school should be expanded, with more instructors. All of this can be done for $2000 a month.

It is for this reason I am telling you his story. Perhaps, when you read it; David’s story and his mission of hope may touch you. It is unusual because it is so rare for a Kenyan, fortunate enough to receive an education in the West, to return to actually give back something of value. If you feel you would like to contribute something to help David keep this school alive; to enable these young Kenyans now in the school to finish their courses, and the many others waiting to enter. Here’s how: you can go to your bank and purchase an American Express travellers cheque, for any denomination and send it, if you wish, with a little note to David or after the end of March. You may address it to Careers for Life International. It is a safe way to send your donation. Please don’t send personal checks, as in Kenya, it is nearly impossible to deposit.

In turn we will send you a packet of information on the college, including photos and a list of students you might just want to correspond with . This can also be easily done through our e-mail if you prefer.

The packet will give you current information on what Careers for Life International (CLI) is doing with your donations and detailed plans for the future. We are now completely re-doing our website, which will be online at months end. Below is a list of our contacts and addresses. While David was at college in Michigan, Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church assisted him with some fundraising. David has asked Rev. Charles Morris to assist in the collection of any donations. You may send the travellers cheques in care of the church.

David and I and the many young Kenyans thank you in advance, from the bottom of our hearts.

Please address your donations to David Chege Njoroge in care of:

Saint Elizabeth Church Rectory Phone: (1) 734-552 0104 •••••9Am to 4Pm.

138 Goodell

Wyandotte, MI. 48192

David Chege Njoroge/Jerry Ross

P.O.Box 15593 P.O.Box 12988

Mbagathi 00503 00100 GPO

Nairobi, Kenya Nairobi, Kenya

Tele: +254 722-802 400 (Cell)

Tele: + 254 724-733 380 (Cell)

E-Mail: xchege@yahoo,com E-mail: jerrmaa@yahoo.com

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December 2, 2007 by scot.

Boy shot trying to feed his brothers and sisters and I am to blame I am reprinting this from Spotlight on Orphans Extra.

Mr. Richard was a church elder in a local Seventh-day Adventist Church. He and his wife were blessed with seven children. He contracted the AIDS virus
through a blood transfusion way back in 1996. Then he unknowingly infected his
wife. They both died in March, just around the time Esther, Vicki and Steve visited us here in Africa. Mr. Richard left behind seven children.
The local church tried to support the family but due to abject poverty in Africa they could not continue with the support. The firstborn boy, aged sixteen, came to
me and narrated his story. He wanted us to accept even two of his siblings into the Centre. At the age of sixteen he had become the sole breadwinner for his six siblings. It was too much for him. Unfortunately, we could not accept them into Hope for Children Center orphanage because of our financial capabilities.
Sadly enough, I read in one of the local newspapers just last month that the boy was shot dead by police officers in an exchange of fire during a bank robbery in Nairobi. I went to their home to confirm what I had read, thinking that the names could be similar. I met his thirteen-year-old sister who is his follower. She told me that her brother resorted to robbery in order to feed them. In fact, he was lured into it and that was his first attempt.
The boy is already buried and so in the family, the girl is now the sole breadwinner. We visited them last week while on missionary outreach with our orphans and took for them some little food. This is what she told us, which is just painful to me, “Pastor, I am very tired and hopeless, I have nowhere I can get food for our children. The future is completely dark for me. My siblings will soon die of starvation. The only option I have is to look for somebody who can marry me if he is promising to care for my siblings. It has to be soon, or else they’ll all die.”

Sixteen year old boy shot trying to feed his bothers and sisters. Now his sister will have to sell herself to feed them if no one will help. I feel responsible for this boys death because I have not done more. It only costs $30 a month to sponsor an orphan. Why didn’t I cover the $210 a month until sponsors could be found for these orphans.

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November 9, 2007 by scot.

Thanksgiving greetings from the hearts of the African orphans to your heart. How overwhelmed the orphans would be if they could for just one day see for themselves the bounty that most of us take for granted. And how overwhelmed we, the sponsors of the orphans, and we who have an interest in their well being, would be if we had to live for one day as they have had to live for most of their lives on the streets of the cities and villages in Africa! These orphans have lived without hope, and life without hope is a pitiful life indeed.

The orphans who have been blessed to have already been taken into one of the orphanages where their food and clothing and shelter are provided have been given hope–a gift of hope from someone who decided to sponsor an orphan and share their plenty with an orphan child who had nothing.

You who have sponsored one or more orphans have experienced the thrill, the joy of knowing that you have made a difference–a life and death difference–in the life of a child. Would those who have not yet had that experience, please think about it as you plan and prepare for this Thanksgiving season. Would you not like to do your part to feed the children who otherwise would go hungry? Your decision to sponsor an orphan will provide food, clothing and shelter for an orphan who would otherwise be hungry, near-naked and homeless, void of hope both for today and the future.

Sponsor an African orphan that is suffering because of poverty and enjoy a real Thanksgiving experience! Feed the children, and you will be “fed” yourself, filled with the joy of providing comfort and hope to one who has known little if any of either during their brief lives.

Blessings to you on behalf of Hearth to Hearth Ministries’ orphans and orphanages. Join volunteers in making a difference in the lives of orphans.

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August 21, 2007 by Orphans for Christ.

OCA T-shirts Project will be based on the existing Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA) Logo. The T-shirts will be worn as the official uniform for all children and widows attending this year’s HOPE FOR KIDS Christmas Gift Celebration, in Uganda and during all official events of Orphans for Christ in Africa. The donor organization will have the option of placing the appropriate organization logo on the right Hand side of the T- shirts. The T-shirts will become a collector’s item by Orphans for Christ in Africa across Uganda and internationally and will have the potential to create revenue for the orphans.

Aims

The aims of OCA T-shirts Project are to:• Act as identification with the donor agency/Orphans for Christ in Africa partnership.
• Generate revenue for Orphans and widows within OCA programmes.
• Increase exposure of Orphans for Christ in Africa in Uganda and the sponsoring organization through sale and use of the T-shirts.

Objectives The objectives of OCAT-shirts Project are to:
• Present each child and widow attending the 2007 Hope for Kids Christmas Celebrations and all official OCA events with a tangible record of the event.
• Distribute additional T-Shirts throughout Uganda through sales to the attendees of the events
• Increase revenue for Orphans for Christ in Africa to support needy children.

Costs
The T-shirts can be produced in various sizes of small, medium, large and extra large, and xxx large sizes, for both children and adults. The T-shirts will be made out of 100% cotton materials, having Orphans for Christ in Africa Logo on the left hand side and the donor agency logo (if need be) on the right-hand side, with the inscription, “My Dad is Father to the fatherless”, on the back. The T-shirts can be in Gray, Navy Blue, Orange, White or Green non-shading colors. Producing this kind of T-shirt is cheaper and cost effective, especially when large quantities are required.

Cost for production of 1,000 pieces of 100% cotton T-shirts in USA, UK, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, and other places has yet to be obtained. It may well be more cost effective to produce the T-shirts locally in Uganda, in which case the donor may have the option of either providing funding or may like to investigate the costs for production on their own. The cost of producing one (1) 100% cotton Tee Shirt in Uganda is approximately US$7. Funding assistance is required to help OCA achieve this goal.

I’m writing to invite you to consider supporting us in this effort, by either providing T-shirts in-kind or funding for making the T-shirts locally in Uganda, or both. The T-shirts will be given as part of the ‘Christmas Gifts’ to each of the orphaned children, youth and widows attending OCA’s 2007 Hope for Kids Christmas Gift Party Celebration. Financial gifts will help purchase the T-shirts locally in Uganda, which we believe is cheaper than shipping the T-shirts in-kind.

Financial donations for this project can be made by mail or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to: “Orphans for Christ in Africa Ltd” and mailed to our mailing address: P.O. Box 28454 KAMPALA UGANDA. To donate by wire transfer, please e-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com, for details. Financial support meant specifically for this project should be wired to OCA, by October 30, 2007.

All in-kind donations should be marked “Donations for Humanitarian Aid” and mailed (preferably) BY AIRMAIL, DHL, FEDEX or similar courier service, to our mailing address: P. O. Box 28454, Kampala Uganda, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Onyango Yakobo, Director, Orphans for Christ in Africa. Telephone: +256 782 691 159.

We will be grateful when we receive your positive response.

Sincerely,

Anthony Onyango Yakobo
Executive Director
Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA)
P.O. Box 28454
Kampala Uganda.
Telephone: +256 782 691 159.
E-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com

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August 21, 2007 by Orphans for Christ.

One way you can support Orphans and disadvantaged children in Uganda is by donating goods and items in-kind. These goods can be donated used or new. Below please find List of items that could be donated:

Bibles:
· Bibles, Children’s Bibles, story books, coloring books, Sunday School Materials from BCIM (Bible Club Movement International), Christian Music CDs, Video tapes and VCDs, DVDs, Children’s Christmas Gift Boxes, childcare and children’s ministry training materials, etc.

School Supplies:· School bags, children’s reading books, pens, pencils, crayons, rulers, erasers, glue, writing paper, coloring paper, exercise books, children’s Bibles, story books, computer books, CD-ROMs, children’s school chairs, flash-cards, ABC distributing (Arts & Crafts), etc.

Clothing:
· Warm weather clothing of all kinds and sizes for children ranging from baby -17 years: school uniforms, shoes, skirts, blouses, dresses, shirts, shorts, pants, leather shoes, sports shoes, socks and stockings, t-shirts, towels, curtains, etc, and for adults as well.

Beddings:
· Light blankets, twin bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, soap, lotions, ointments, tooth brush and tooth paste, etc.

Games and Sports Equipment:
· Soccer balls, volley balls, basket balls, table tennis, netballs, sports shoes, outdoor sports wear, badminton, balloons, First AID Kits, etc.

Office Supplies and Furniture:
· Computer Paper (A4 size white and/or colored), card papers, files, envelops of all sizes, Paper Punk, Guillotines, Binders, empty CDs, flash discs, diskettes, bookshelves, office desks, chairs, filling cabinets, computer software, color printers, LaserJet ‘4’ Printer cartridges, etc.

Equipment: · PowerPoint Projector, Used Computers & Laptops, Diesel Generators, overhead projectors, CD Duplicators, used cell phones (card phones –should be un-locked so that it can be used with any network), etc.

Musical Instruments:
· Acoustic/electric and bass guitars, piano keyboards, sound boards, amplifiers, microphones, microphone stands, loudspeakers, trumpets, saxophones, violin, acoustic/electric drum set, (Band Equipment), etc.

Vehicles for Transportation:· 4WD double cabin pickup trucks, cars, vans, buses, (preferably 4 Wheel Drive). One of the main challenges here is traveling on rough roads with unreliable, overcrowded buses and taxis that serve as public transportation. It becomes especially challenging when traveling in the rural villages with almost no proper roads, and there are no buses. The only alternative means are “boda-boda” bicycles, which are not always safe. As such, OCA is in need of a reliable 4Wheel Drive Vehicle for safe travel and transportation.

Funding:
· OCA’s greatest need at the moment is financial resources to pay children’s school fees, and run programs and projects. Financial donations can be made by mail or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to “Orphans for Christ in Africa Ltd” and mailed to our mailing address below. To make wire transfer, please e-mail Anthony, for details.

All in-kind donations should be marked “Donations with No commercial value” and mailed (preferably) BY AIRMAIL, DHL, FEDEX to our mailing address: P. O. Box 28454, Kampala Uganda, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Onyango Yakobo, Director, Orphans for Christ in Africa. Telephone: +256 782 691 159.

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August 21, 2007 by Orphans for Christ.

Dear friends:

This year marks the 2nd anniversary of Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA) as an NGO, working with HIV/AIDS orphans, vulnerable disadvantaged children and youth, and their communities in Uganda. More than 3 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS in this third-world country and this number is increasing everyday. Despite these tragedies, the children left behind need our support to enable them have a life of dignity and realize their full potential. At the same time, we recognize that HIV/AIDS is entirely preventable through education and awareness.

To date, Uganda remains one of the poorest countries in sub-Saharan African most affected by the AIDS Pandemic. In Uganda, where there is a staggering 3 million AIDS orphans with many new cases of HIV infection, nearly everyone in our country and city knows someone who has been affected by AIDS in some way — at home, work, school or place of worship.

At Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA), we are dedicated to providing holistic care and support to children and youth left orphans and provide our local citizens with the information they need to help stop the spread of AIDS. As part of our continuing efforts, we are hosting 2007 HOPE FOR KIDS CHRISTMAS GIFT PARTY Celebration, for orphaned children and youth. This year’s celebration will take place in two of our Children’s Centers, namely; Kajjansi Children’s Center, in Kampala, and at New Hope Children’s Center, in Tororo, eastern Uganda. This year’s HOPE FOR KIDS Christmas Gift Party is scheduled for December 23, 2007.

Hope for Kids Christmas Gift Party Celebration is OCA’s annual end of year thanksgiving Christmas Gift Celebration for all orphaned and disadvantaged children and youth and widows who are in OCA’s childcare and support programs. The objective of the program is to enable orphaned children, disadvantaged youth and widows share in the joy and blessings of Christmas by giving them tangible Christmas gifts of clothing, shoes, beddings, blankets, scholastic materials, bicycles, toys, etc, and other in-kind presents.

OCA holds this program on December 23, of every year. A total of 200 orphans took part in last year’s Hope for Kids’ Christmas Gift Party that took place at Kajjansi Children’s Center, and each of the 200 children and youth received Christmas gifts and presents, donated by OCA supporters and friends from all over the world.

I’m writing to invite you to join with us in this effort, by providing goods and items in-kind and/or financial support towards this event. The items will be distributed as ‘Christmas Gifts’ to each of the children, youth and widows attending the Hope for Kids Christmas Gift Party Celebration, 2007. Financial gifts will help to purchase additional gift items locally in Uganda and buy refreshments for the children, youth and widows attending the Celebration.

The gifts of children’s clothing, toys, musical instruments, bicycles, beddings and school supplies donated last year for this same program was distributed to the 200 children who attended last year’s HOPE FOR KIDs Christmas Gift Celebration, at Kajjansi Children’s Center, Kampala Uganda. This year, we plan to have the Christmas Gift Celebration in two of our Children’s Centers namely; Kajjansi Children’s Center, in Kampala and New Hope Children’s Center, in Tororo district, eastern Uganda.

Items that could be donated for this program include, but are not limited to:

Children’s Christmas gift boxes, Bibles, clothing, bedding, shoes, games & sports equipment & supplies - soccer balls, volley balls, basket balls, table tennis, netballs, sports shoes, outdoor sports wear, badminton, balloons, First AID Kits, school bags, school supplies, Children’s Music CDs/DVDs, Bicycles; musical instruments - acoustic/electric and/or bass guitars, piano keyboards, sound boards, amplifiers, microphones, microphone stands, loudspeakers, trumpets, saxophones, violin, acoustic/electric drum set, (Band Equipment),etc. Goods and items meant for this year 2007 HOPE FOR KIDS Christmas program should be AIRMAILED to reach OCA offices in Kampala, by November 15, 2007.

Financial donations can be made by mail or wire transfer. Checks should be made payable to: “Orphans for Christ in Africa Ltd” and mailed to our mailing address: P.O. Box 28454 KAMPALA UGANDA. To donate by wire transfer, please e-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com, for details.

All in-kind donations should be marked “Donations for Humanitarian Aid” and mailed (preferably) BY AIRMAIL, DHL, FEDEX or similar courier service, to our mailing address: P. O. Box 28454, Kampala Uganda, to the attention of Mr. Anthony Onyango Yakobo, Director, Orphans for Christ in Africa. Telephone: +256 782 691 159.

Anthony Onyango Yakobo
Executive Director
Orphans for Christ in Africa (OCA)
P.O. Box 28454
Kampala Uganda.
Telephone: +256 782 691 159.
E-mail: anthony@orphansforchrist.com

Posted in HIV/AIDS, Poverty, African Orphanages, Orphanages, Orphans | No Comments »