First Fruit
We began our program of sponsorship many years ago and we are proud to say that several have been blessed by our efforts. In addition to Duncan Ziro, Fredrick Kaingu, Jeremiah Muramba, Emmanuel Mwambire, and Isaac Mkutano are all young men who were sponsored by us for further education. Today, they are all working in one capacity or another back in their home areas, encouraging change at a grass-roots level. These are the faces of change, the leaders of tomorrow. Hope for a better future lies in the hands of young men and women such as these.
The Future, Today
The young men pictured above are just the beginning. We are thrilled to announce the names of at least three young people who will be sponsored by INTERCEDE: Christine Khadija (left) our first young woman, Titus Ziro (center), and Ngowa Masha (right). The funds to sponsor these three for the two-year program at NGCS has already been raised and they began school in January 2008.
MCRC - Kaloleni
Kaloleni, Kenya is generally accepted as the capitol of Mijikenda country. It is a thriving commercial center right in the heart of their traditional homeland. It is also the seat for Kaloleni District, the fourth poorest district in all of the country. These are just some of the reasons we targeted this area to build a resource center.
It all began in 2001 with church and community leaders who came together and raised the money to purchase 3 1/2 acres of land next to a school. The dream was to slowly develop the land, offering basic education to youth, women, and the general community in areas such as health, clean water, agriculture, literacy, and more. A small, temporary building was put on the land, made up of nothing more than sticks and mud. (See pictures.)
In early 2004, construction began on a more permanent structure, one that would not wash away during the monsoon rain season.
Today, thanks to generous contributors, we are happy to say that we have one buidling on the land that is being used as a resource center and blessing many in the community.
Food Relief
Late in 2004 a severe drought hit the coast of Kenya, the homeland of the Mijikenda people, that continued through the early months of 2006. Thousands were suffering, and the Kenyan Government declared the situation a national emergency and called upon the international community to assist. Although our vision and mission is for education and community development, we could not turn away from such a great need. It would be near impossible to teach someone while their stomachs are aching for food and their minds are weak from lack of nourishment.
So in 2005 and again in 2006, INTERCEDE sent over $20,000 to help feed those on the coast of Kenya who were suffering most from the drought. Below is a picture of a nursery school that we helped with several hundred pounds of food. There are roughly 120 children in attendance at this school. The parents could not even afford the 25 cents needed to help the school provide lunch for their children.
Kabatheni Nursery School
Just a few years ago, we helped the church and community in Kabatheni build a modest, one-room hut to serve as a nursery school for the incredible number of children who had no place to study. Soon after, Chengo Charo Mwanyaa, the Chairman of the nursery school committee wrote to us:
On behalf of the Kabatheni Nursery School Committee, parents, pupils, and the entire community, I write to thank you for the grant. May God bless you and whoever else was concerned in the provision of the money.
This is just one more example of how we continue to make a difference in whole communities. We hope the Nursery School in Kabatheni will be there for years to come, blessing the lives of young children who would otherwise have little to know chance of a good education.
The Makaya Family
Prince and Chipo Makaya are Zimbabwean nationals living and working in Kenya, East Africa. They have 3 children, Corban, Carmel, and Caleo.
INTERCEDE recently sent nearly $2,000 to help the Makaya children return to school after the children were sent home because they were unable to pay their fees.
INTERCEDE. Educating tomorrow's leaders today.
