Christmas Appeal

The Baraka Project, Kawangware, Nairobi

Thank you to all who gave so generously to our Christmas Appeal, which has raised £700. The Appeal was for the Baraka Self Help Project, which operates in Nairobi, Kenya. Baraka (Kiswahili for “Blessing”) is a project that works with disabled, orphaned and needy children in Kawangware, an informal settlement (slum) on the edge of Nairobi.

The project is led by a lady called Valentine Achieng Oliech. Valentine’s son, Eugene, was born with celebral palsy. God gave her a love for her son, and acceptance of him, even though her husband left them both. Valentine got herself trained in physiotherapy and other techniques to care for him more effectively. She joined together with other parents living with disabled children to find ways to improve their children’s lives. After Eugene died in 2005, Valentine received a vision from God which called her to use these skills and love to set up a centre for disabled children and their families, especially those who cannot afford trips to hospital.

Our vicar, Andy Jolley, and his family visited the project during his sabbatical this summer. The whole family were deeply impressed with the vision and commitment of the project.

There are currently around 120 children and young people being helped by the project. A quarter of these are disabled, half are orphaned (often due to AIDS), and a quarter are needy (for example their parent(s) are unable to provide food supplements and school uniform). The project has made a remarkable impact on many of their lives. Some have been enabled to continue in education and to go on to university.

The project is largely self-funded, selling handicraft items produced at the project. Our appeal will help to provide additional equipment and with running costs.

Their website has more information on the Baraka Project