Kitoben Orphanage
October 14, 2009
We went to visit a new orphanage this week, Kitoben, which is not far from the hospital to assess the needs and see how God might use us there. There are 60 children at Kitoben, 40 of which are in school. One woman and her family run Kitoben and she uses mostly her own resources (she works at Tenwek Hospital as a clerk) to feed, clothe and educate the children. These are just a few pictures from our visit. We were able to give them soccer balls for the older kids, pray with the family caring for the children and bless them with some financial resources. We hope to continue building a relationship with Kitoben as they care for the orphans in the area.
Bosto is an orphanage about an hour from the mission hospital. We have partnered with Bosto before to help them build coops and raise chickens which provide eggs for the children and extra eggs to sell. We have built fencing and purchased a cow for them. A need was presented to us this time for tables and benches to be built for the dining hall so the children won’t have to eat on the floor any longer. We hired a fundi and have transfered the funds through a local missionary who will oversee while we are in the states. The project has been started but is not complete but we hope to get pictures soon to share with you.
Hi Paul,
May 10,2010- I just returned from Tenwek. John went on to Sodo Christian Hospital in Ethiopia to cover for the Ortho Surgeon who is out. I just made a website for Kitoben and did a google search to see if it showed up and found your Kitoben post instead. My family and the Kettler family, another family who visit Tenwek support Kitoben through a non-profit called Nation to Nations. The Bemms do not help with this orphanage. Amy Bemm told me last month that the government is going to regulate all orphanages and that the buildings that are not concrete block will have to be redone. Alice is from a small Pentecostal denomination and has no local support. So I came home determined to try to raise money for rebuilding some of the buildings that are not going to pass inspection. I’m trying to get Alice to form a local board with Lisa and Pete Kuyaya and a Kenyan lawyer and his wife Eunice who is an accountant at Tenwek. Right now the non-profit allows us to give 40$/child/mo for orphan support but we need to raise money for capital improvements. The Kettlers are going to Tenwek in August to do discipleship with the orphans so I hope you can meet them.
Is there any way in which my husband and I can help you and the people?
Thank you!1
Jennifer Luebbers
Paul and the people directly who work with you are the true heroes,role models, ,you make us and especially God very proud!!! You ROCK!! DOC !!