Every child at the Living Waters feeding center has a story. Each one has been orphaned by death, sickness, abandonment or neglect. Their stories may differ but they all live with heartache and sadness.
The things they pray for and worry about…..
“I hope we can find my mother.”
“Please pray that my guardian will get some money to pay my school fees.”
“I want to pray for my mother because she’s sick and in the hospital.”
“I hope I can do well on my exams” is the prayer of almost every child.
They know they are fortunate to be able to go to school. They take education seriously and they study hard.
They appreciate coming to the feeding center for lunch so they can think well enough to be in school. They know other kids aren’t so fortunate. I’ve observed a small child taking a plastic bag out and filling it with half of her lunch to bring home to her siblings. Frequently, a new hungry child shows up at the feeding center asking for food.
They always receive a meal because the staff knows a child is truly hungry to approach an unfamiliar place and group.
The need is so great and our resources are so small but this is where we have been called and we are dedicated to caring for these children. We know that when we help one boy or girl we are helping the whole family. When we help one family it helps the community. Thank you for helping us to make a difference here.
Jayden and Jeremy rode on a motorbike with their aunt and sister to see us at the Living Waters Feeding Center!
Just 14 months ago, after giving birth, their mother died. Since there are 4 school age siblings, their aunt Judy has been caring for the twins. And what great care she has given them! They are healthy and happy and very friendly. Their brothers attend the Feeding Center and special donors have supported the twins by supplying their formula and diapers.
It truly does take a village!
It’s not easy being an orphan girl here.
When your period comes and you have no money to buy personal supplies what do you do?
Most choose to stay home from school rather than risk an embarrassing accident and get laughed at. When this happens, some girls never return to school.
Recently, Julie and I invited the Living Waters girls to a women’s hygiene class.
64 girls attended and received education on women’s menstrual health and each was given their own personal reusable hygiene kit.
Thank you to Paige Porter and the LDS friends in Wyoming who made the kits!
You are making a life-changing difference in the lives of these precious young ladies by helping them to stay in school.
When things don’t always work out as planned!
Agriculture is always a challenge and Africa seems to have it worse than most.
After having the rise of Lake Victoria claim about 20% of the farmland, floods or famines that consistently wiped out crops ready for harvest, and the invasive Famine Weed (that is uncontrollable, toxic to the soil and prevents production of usable produce) claim another 35%, we declined to renew the annual lease and transitioned the farm and the usable equipment and buildings to the feeding center compound.
This resolved untold problems but none more than the reality that it was now costing more to produce what was needed than if we paid for the vegetables from the local market.
We retained the farm staff to work the shamba at the feeding center and to assist with the many facets of adding 40% more children to the program.
We are certain God led us in this direction and while disappointing, we trust His direction for His project at Kaswanga and feel this was a good move.
Urgent prayer warriors needed!
The feeding center will be significantly impacted by the defunding cuts of USAID.
The HIV testing, surveillance and antivirals which 20% of the population depend on to live productive lives have been immediately affected.
Children suffer, as many are born into HIV (including some at the feeding center), and there is no foreseeable options for any of the needed services/treatments starting March 31st in the area we serve.
So far we have been unsuccessful in securing any supply of antivirals for our children, and this leaves them extremely anxious and scared. They simply cannot live without them.
The general population is in panic as many adults including guardians will die, leaving even more orphans needing care at the feeding center.
And this is only a very small sample of what is happening all over Kenya where it is estimated millions will die.
Please pray that our children and their guardians will find the life-saving medications and continued treatment.
Daryl and Mary Jo Oft
A WORD ABOUT FUNDING: Living Waters Intl does not solicit or receive funds from the US government. We have always depended on private donations to sustain our work. Let us know how you would like to help.
We are currently caring for 150 children every day. It costs $40.00+ a month to provide meals, school uniforms, and medical care for each child. We believe every child deserves to eat.
Please remember Living Waters Intl in your giving plan. Thank you for helping us help them!
3 ways to DONATE:
Online: https://livingwatersintl.org/donate-online/
Mail a check to:
Living Waters Intl
PO Box 502
Tonto Basin, AZ 85553
Or CALL +1 928-978-4663 to make a donation by phone