Kibera Kids Center
Kibera is the name given to the largest slum in Africa. It is located on the outskirts of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Although population estimates differ, most will agree that there are over 2 million people living in the slum. It has been said that of these, 900,000 are children and half of them are orphans. AIDS is the main reason for so many orphans. Their parents died of the dreaded disease and they are left with family members who are not able to care for them or who do not want to care for them. The kids are usually left to fend for themselves.
At Kibera Kids Center we are providing care for the hopeless who have no family to care for them, except maybe an elderly relative who is too poor to provide the necessities. During their first six months here, we attempt to find out their whole story, searching for the truth of their family’s existence. Getting their story after they are comfortable here provides a wealth of information on what is in store for their future. Some kids take months to understand what is taking place. It takes months to understand shadows are normal, sounds at night are normal and people can dream good dreams. It takes months for some of these precious kids to realize life is not what they have known for the past few years. It takes a space of time for them to realize God is not the trees and sun, but someone real who is working in their lives to love and care for them and He made the trees and the sun.
Kibera Kids Center provides the love and care they need in a secure environment. Education is of utmost importance in the African culture. KKC is providing a well-rounded education, complete with a wide-ranging music program, physical education, art and computer science. Technical training will assist our children in becoming ready for life in the mainstream of society. Building trades, office skills and computer technical trades will be emphasized as the kids reach the proper age for such training. We are proud of our kids. Even though they have come to us from some terrible situations, they are like new kids today. Every visitor to KKC has left with the same observation: the kids are genuinely happy.
Jim and Debora Womble
Missionaries to Kenya
Project Number 0650072
Kiberia Kids Center
Project Number 1022029
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© 2007 Church of God World Missions
