Tumaini Children's Ministry - December 2019 Update
Nyeri, Kenya
Five Loaves of Bread and Two Fish
Sunday, November 17, 2019, was a historic day in the life of Riamukurwe Parish and Tumaini Children’s Ministry. Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, former President of Malawi, and her family visited the home! She was accompanied by the Governor of Nyeri County and many other dignitaries. The Outreach team of 12 people visiting from five U.S. churches (Laguna PC, Canyon Hills PC, La Verne Heights PC, Malibu PC, and Pacific Palisades PC) was honored to share the day with such dignitaries.
The day began in front of the church as Ebralie Mwizerwa (team leader), Frank Dimmock, Parish Minister Rev. Nicholas Miriti, Eunice Muindi, Anne Muindi-Shemenski (good friend of Dr. Banda), Catherine Mukami and other parish leaders welcomed the guests. We then enjoyed a great worship service during which the Outreach team gave greetings, Tumaini children presented a song, and words of encouragement were spoken both by Dr. Banda and the Nyeri County Governor.
In her speech, Dr. Banda spoke about her humble beginnings. She emphasized the importance of education as not only a means to unlock the potential for each child but also the key to the success of nations. Many children in Africa are not educated due to lack of financial means and because schools are still rare in many parts of the country. She invited us to think like the boy in the Bible who gave five loaves and two fish to Jesus who multiplied them to feed a large crowd with 12 baskets left over! There is no loss when we give to the Lord. This Bible story is what motivated Dr. Banda to start a foundation and to be a champion for women and children.
The Outreach team stayed at Tumaini from November 13-19 and enjoyed working on various activities with the Tumaini and Huruma children. We appreciated the condition of the homes and the current leadership; the Tumaini board and its new chair Monica Kagume; Anne Wandimi, the new manager for the home; and several other additions to the staff including a social worker and a dorm father figure.
The Tumaini/Huruma ministry emphasizes education at all levels – primary, high school, and post-high school including vocational training. Tumaini currently has 24 students in universities and vocational institutions in Kenya, 60 in primary school, and 40 in high school. The Outreach Foundation has been supporting the PCEA Riamukurwe Parish in this effort since its inception. A vocational building that will house over eight skills training classes is nearing completion which will help to create jobs and a bright future for many children and their families. Until then, Outreach is seeking resources to offer shelter, food, basic education as well as support for the students in post-secondary studies.
As always, we are grateful for our partnership with you in this work. So many lives have been transformed and we hope yours is also being transformed by your involvement. We look forward to continued success in this ministry.
Ebralie Mwizerwa, Projects Coordinator
The Outreach Foundation
Read more about Tumaini Children’s Ministry HERE.
THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking to raise $80,000 a year for operations for the Tumaini Children’s Ministry which feeds, houses, clothes, educates and cares for these children; $2,200 per scholarship for e-learning and an additional $20,000 for the vocational training center. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.