United Methodist Care Centres for Orphans
United Methodist Care Centres for Orphans, Widows/Widowers, and the Vulnerable
By Minister Nelly
Meru, Kenya
December 24, 2022
Brief report on the formation of UMC care centers-
The United Methodist Church Eastern Kenya District Board led by the District Superintendent Rev. Ann Kanini Ntarangwi decided to start care centers in our UMC Churches and spread to other denominations after the clarion call of the Great Commandment Workshop that was held in Meru County on 25th June 2022. This event was organized by Minister Isaiah Githinji of Global Orphan Relief in conjunction with United Methodist Church Eastern Kenya District.
Previously the United Methodist Church was involved in taking care of the orphans in the individual Church branches, but after the Great Commandment Workshop, there was a big push to reach many people and share with them God's will and purpose in serving the poor.
Our Vision
The centers are created to be able to reach and identify the orphans and their caregivers, the widows/widowers, and the vulnerable in our society in a call to Ministry to serve God by loving each other as we love ourselves, especially the needy and disadvantaged in the society.
The care centers meet twice a month where they fellowship, encourage, and share meals and other gifts according to each center's ability. We have connected with other Pastors who belong to other denominations to be able to spread the good news of love to many.
Currently, we have twenty-six (26) care centers spread in our county and nearby counties Embu and Isiolo, and we are in the process of opening more as God continues to bless us.
Through the centers which are headed by the Pastor in charge, we have been able to identify many needy cases of orphans and other categories who need support in various ways. As a Church, we have tried to share whatever God provides to ease the burdens experienced by our brothers and sisters.
Caregiving
The Church holds a caregiving support day every quarter where we invite everyone to give items like foodstuff, clothing cash, etc. The gifts are shared with the care centers.
Supporters
We appreciate the support of our area MP Rahim Dawood who gave us some support for the centers and promised to give more. We appreciate the Director of Children Services in Meru County, Madam Olive Kamau, who has been a blessing to the Church and the care centers who promised to give a few bursaries for fees next year
Thank you to MECAWE. This organization has promised to support (6) six needy children aged 4 years as they begin school next year from nursery to university level. Presently we have no other support to run the centers apart from our donations.
Needs in the care centers
As you might imagine, the needs are many. Food has been our biggest challenge throughout especially during the holidays when the children are at home. During this festive season, many families may lack something to enjoy Christmas. We are trying to share what we can but it can never be enough.
School fees are another area of need. Most of the orphans ended school last term with huge balances. We tried our best,,but have over 350 orphans/ vulnerable children who need a well-wisher for them to continue with their education. Most of their caregivers who had small businesses were closed during the Corona epidemic and they haven't recovered. They all look to the Church for support. It is worth noting that the majority of the orphans stay with their old grandparents probably because their parents are deceased or just left them and didn't return home.
Shelter is also an area of concern. Most of the orphans live in very poor homes and lack basic amenities. We have not been able to address the issue due to inadequate resources.
Lastly, some of the caregivers for these children have terminal illnesses, but can't afford good medical intervention due to financial constraints.
Identification of orphans
The care center director works closely with the area chief to assist in identifying the children and writing a report on the status of each needy case. The Chief's letter and other relevant documents are forwarded from the care center to the UMC where the records are kept by the Church secretary for records.
Our prayer
We kindly wish to send an appeal to all well-wishers to help us support our care centers and also open many more to reach many orphans as we continue serving God.
Through our Church Mobilization effort 100’s of churches and individuals are going deep into their communities to care for orphan children. This is a beautiful picture of how are King wants to care for his children, and a great example of obedience for all of us.
Church Mobilization is our newest initiative launched in February 2022. We are currently working with local area churches to co-host Great Commandment Workshops where we bring together multiple subject matter experts to discuss the why and how to serve the poor generally, and orphan children specifically. We will track the impact of children served through this effort to justify continued investment; however, we have no plans to be funding the care of children through this initiative.
Beyond the financial commitment of the workshops, this effort is to be indigenous, self-propagating, and self-supporting. Our objective is to engage local churches to expand our GO! network, mobilize the church body to serve orphaned children, and to advance the Kingdom through demonstrating the Gospel to others. Through these workshops we are:
Minister Isaiah Githinji Kimani is currently the Director designate for the Global Orphan Relief’s Church Mobilization Initiative in Kenya. Like minded churches are enlisted to co-host these events under the Global Orphan Relief nonprofit organization based in Colorado, USA. He is leading in championing the rights, interests, and well-being of orphan children by deploying the local Church to be more focused on serving orphaned children in their communities.
Isaiah is a graduate of Nations University-USA with a Master of Theological Studies degree and Christian Leaders College with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree, and he currently serves as a volunteer Dean of Students and a Global Minister for the Christian Leaders Alliance based in the US. Isaiah is an ordained minister of the Word with Christian Leaders Alliance and a member of Parklands Baptist Church Westlands in Nairobi. He also serves as a Director in the Kenya National Congress of Pentecostal Churches (KNCPC). Isaiah is the husband to Ruth Sheen and a father to Gracious.
Global Orphan Relief (GO) has been serving orphaned children since 2005. We have accomplished this work through local partners in each country that provides oversight and distribution of care. As of November, we serve 6,033 children in Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, South Sudan, and Zambia in our Home-based Care, Education, Nutrition, and Church Mobilization Initiatives.
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Circle, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Church Mobilization or give on this website at the upper righthand corner under ‘Donate’ and select Church Mobilization | Great Commandment Workshop under the Fund designation.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE
Global Orphan Relief (GO!) is a Christian relief agency serving vulnerable children and is a recognized U.S. public charity, tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3). All donations to GO!, or any charitable contribution processed through Network For Good Donor Advised Fund, are tax deductible to the extent of the law. If you prefer, you may provide gifts of support by sending via mail to the address above.