Welcome
to Living Waters Intl
Out
of Africa ~ Kenya Project Update 2012 |
Currently
we are working in Kenya, Africa where we assist
the small communities of Rusinga Island, where
fishing villages abound on the eastern shores
of heavily polluted Lake Victoria.
When
we first came here the people had no clean
drinking water, no clean water for medical
care and due to heavy drought conditions
they had no practical way to water their
small gardens.
These
communities are home to approximately
1000 orphan children who are living
in "child-run" homes which
had no clean water or adequate food.
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There
are no orphanages, as there are few adults
to care for or supervise them. Living
Waters has been working here since 2006
and is committed to reducing the incidence
of orphaned children and providing them
with health, food and educational needs.
Living
Waters operates a feeding center in Kaswanga
Kenya that provides daily meals, school
uniforms and medical care to 150 orphan
children. There are 8 full time staff employed
to manage and operate the center and provide
security and gardening in the two acre
garden. Over sixty of the children attending
the feeding center have been baptized.
Living Waters is also the major sponsor
to Living Waters Kaswanga Academy where
56 students attend grades 1-4.
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Update
for April 2012
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In
February 2012 Daryl, Mary Jo, and Daryl’s
brother, Rusty, traveled to Kaswanga to move
forward with the construction project of the
medical clinic/guest house. But first let us
tell you about the children at the feeding center.
Drought,
Disease and 150 Orphaned Children: Due
to ongoing drought, disease and death the
dynamics of the feeding center population
changed dramatically this year.
We
are now caring for 150 orphaned children
with food, school uniforms and medical
care. Our child population has changed
in ways we did not expect.
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| Seventy
five percent are total orphans;
which means they have no mother,
father or guardian to care for
them. They live in child-headed
homes and because of the three
year drought most are totally dependent
on the food they receive from the
feeding center. Living Waters was
providing one hot meal on week-days. |
We
have discovered that for many of these
children that was the only food they were
getting and that the school uniform is
the only clothes they have; so they wear
them seven days a week.
For
many there is no mat to sleep on so their
school uniform is the only thing between
their bare flesh and the cold hard and
dirty ground. This has left the uniforms
in shreds and the self-esteem of the children
has also been affected. Our budget for
10 uniforms a month is seriously lacking.
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The
children however are looking much healthier even
though 50 percent have been confirmed to have the
AIDS virus passed along at birth. The food provided
at the feeding center and the medication provided
by the government has made a big difference in
the lives and outcomes of these children.
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New
Changes: Our
assessment led to the following changes which
have been taken on in faith. Starting in April,
the feeding program was expanded to provide
a daily meal to the total orphans on week-ends.
We are also providing breakfast for approximately
40 total orphan children ages 4-7 that attend
the Living Waters Kaswanga Academy. These children
have not been getting the 10 am breakfast provided
to the other children who have parents who
can pay for this meal.
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In
addition we provide lunch at the feeding center
for the three volunteer teachers who teach at
the school. These teachers were going without
lunch due to lack of food. There has not been
a normal harvest for three years and the food
prices are not only extremely high, but often
food is hard to find. This new objective increased
our monthly food budget by 22 percent and the
money is simply not there, but we believe God’s
hand is over this new objective and that He will
provide through our loyal donors.
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New
Believers: The
children at the feeding center were delighted
with having Mary Jo play her guitar at meal time.
Musical instruments are rare on the island and
they really opened their hearts up to us through
the music ministry. Over sixty of the older kids
have been baptized over the period the feeding
center has been opened and we praise God for
their commitments to serve Him.
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Your
Contributions at Work: The
medical clinic/guest house building
was nearly completed when we left.
We ran short on both time and funding
to complete the building project; however,
we would like to thank those who participated
in the matching funds program. $1550.00
was raised and matched for a total
of $3000.00. As you can see from the
pictures, much was accomplished. The
building is wired for solar electric
since there is no reliable electric
available, plumbed for water that includes
a flush toilet, running water in the
bathroom, a shower and hot and cold
water in both the kitchen and clinic.
A solar hot water system is planned
to provide hot water.
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The
2 bedroom guest house will provide lodging and accommodations
for those interested in short term mission trips
to provide medical, dental or humanitarian evangelism/aid.
This is a huge cost savings as the price of lodging
in Mbita has become cost prohibitive. The interior
walls are in and plastered, the doors and windows
are installed and the front veranda is screened.
Still needed is approximately $6000.00. to complete
the installation of the total solar which includes:
a solar refrigerator and 85 gallons of hot water.
Also needed to complete the project is the interior
electrical fixtures and exterior lighting, painting,
window screens, medical supplies and furniture. We
hope to have the necessary funding to have this available
for use by next year.
We
met some wonderful friends who have committed time
in Mbita helping those who are less fortunate and
truly believe God is continuing to inspire those
who support Living Waters to continue to do so in
these hard times.
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Living
Waters Intl. on YouTube
Daryl
and Mary Jo Oft tell how they are being used by God to
help
people
on a small island in Kenya learn how to sustain themselves
with food and water, and how to find peace in Jesus Christ.
Overview
of Projects Presently Underway
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Medical
Clinic/Guest House Project: The
medical clinic/guest house building was nearly
completed when we left. We ran short on both
time and funding to complete the building project;
however, we would like to thank those who participated
in the matching funds program. $1550. was raised
and matched for a total of $3000. |
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Kenya
One Day Church Project
One-Day
Church project is well underway and now providing
places of worship, schools and medical clinics
for more than 15,000 people.
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Evangelism
Living
Waters main objective is to share the love of Jesus
Christ to those who do not know Him.
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Vehicle-Blessing
In
2010 it became apparent that Living Waters was needing
to purchase a vehicle in order to efficiently continue
ministry in Kenya.
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| News
Updates
Written as they are
Happening |
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We
are a 501c3 non-profit organization. Your donations are
tax deductible.
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