Global Mission at Immanuel: The Kenyan Children's Fund
In 2001, the people of Jimmi Kimuyu's home community in Masii, Kenya, were in dire need. Ground down by deep poverty, the community's adults were struggling to care for more than 40 children who had been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Jimmi turned to his Kansas City colleague, Dr. John Helgesen, for advice.
What could be done to help the orphans and their guardians, he asked? And who could provide that help?Dr. John had two recommendations: First, prayer. Second, a conversation with people at Immanuel Lutheran Church.
That was the humble beginning of the Kenyan Children's Fund (KCF). Founded by Dr. John, Jimmi and other Immanuel members and powered by faithful and generous donations, the KCF provides 45 needy children in the Masii region of Kenya with:
- Monthly food supplements to help stave off hunger.
- Crop seeds, which enable people to grow their own food.
- Education support, including assistance with tuition and uniforms, to help children stay in school.
- Goats that provide milk and much-needed income for the children's families.
- An expanded home-repair and construction program, through which donors help pay for materials that local people use to fix crumbling abodes or, in many cases, build their first and only shelters.
- Sleeping pallets, which keep people from sleeping on dirt floors.
- A Kenyan social worker, who ensures that contributions meet urgent needs and who reports to the KCF committee.
- Vaccinations and other medical and mental-health care, which are crucial in an area ravaged by HIV/AIDS.
Special KCF projects include:
- Water for Life, through which KCF and its donors through the U.S. raised $92,000 for a clean-water well and tap system that now brings potable water to the people of Masii. Water Missions, the organization that drilled the well and installed the tap system, trained the village people to operate and maintain it. Generations Kenyan children and families now will survive persistent drought and face a brighter future. Upcoming fund-raising efforts will help to purchase water-well filters.
- Building a girls' bathroom at the regional school. There already was a boys' bathroom. Now, a bathroom for girls allows them to stay in school.
Contributions to the KCF always are welcome. No donation is too small! You can donate:
- By check payable to Immanuel Lutheran Church with KCF in the memo line.
- Via the Tithe.ly online giving program. Select KCF form the drop-down menu.
- By arranging a direct contribution from your bank.
For more information, contact Mary Jo Moore, 816-309-7858 or maryjom50@gmail.com.
U.S.-based KCF Committee members
These U.S. committee members work closely with a partner committee is Masii.
John Helgesen
Jimmi Kimuyu
Peggy Dollard
Michael Hamlin
Mary Jo Moore
Linda Fewell