Thursday Afternoon: Girls Orphanage (Home)

Thursday afternoon we were truly blessed. The entire team, South Carolinans (ACTers) and Kenyans visited the Girls Orphanage. The orphanage was built and is maintained through a partnership with a PCA church in California. All eighty-three of the girls ages 4-16 were invited to participate with us at Holiday Bible Camp. Upon arrival we were greeted by the Matron, Evelyn. We hared a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate as she explained how the girls came to reside at the home. They were "nominated" by pastors from local Presbyterian churches throughout Kenya. Forms are filled out on each girl and submitted to the Ministry of Children with the Kenyan government. This group then investigates using the information and recommends the most desperate cases for placement. Some the children are true orphans. Others came from families who are completely unable to meet their basic needs.

The girls were so excited we had come to visit their "home". It is a very nice facility consisting of a beautifully decorated dormitory that contains showers and a room for laundry. The second building is the dining/meeting room and a kitchen. The grounds consists of a play area, farm, and outdoor toilets. We gathered in the meeting area and visted. The girls sang and danced for us. The rest of the staff was introduced to us.

Before leaving we present them with 300 lbs of wheat flour and 20 lbs of sunflower shortening. They began singing praises and made up a song about having lots of chapati and pancakes for Christmas. We had a wonderful afternoon with them.