First Community Church in Kenya June 2006

Background

The Rev. Dr. John Nganga founded the Rafiki AIDS Ministry in 1998 in response to the mounting problem of African children being orphaned as a result of the AIDS epidemic. Currently in Kenya alone an estimated 1.5 million children have been orphaned. The ability of extended families to raise these children has been exhausted and more and more households are actually headed by children. The vicious cycle of poverty and homelessness leading to violence, prostitution, drug use and further infection with AIDS have been well established. The mission of Rafiki AIDS Ministry is to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education, a safe Christian living environment, and loving support to children worldwide who are affected by HIV/AIDS. The vision of Rafiki is to transform the helpless state of orphans to a hopeful life. Over the last several years, some individuals in First Community Church have been involved in this effort, but in the last 6 months, FCC as a church has become a major partner in this project in three different areas. Barb and I, along with Dick and Shirley Wing had the pleasure of visiting the orphanage June 16 and 17 representing the church in celebrations and dedications related to each of these areas.

The Quilt Project

Barb was delighted that the Prayers and Squares Quilters of FCC rose to the challenge of providing an individual quilt for each of the orphans, as well as housemothers and selected staff, each with their own name in the label. Under the capable leadership of Bobbie Reynolds, 45 women created 44 quilts in a seven-week time frame! Many FCC members saw the quilts displayed in the North Campus the weekend before we left. Mark and Barbara Galantowicz, who have worked with the Davises on Rafiki in the past, donated a set of sheets to go with each quilt. Between the Davises and the Wings (and some excess baggage negotiations), 4 large duffel bags and two large boxes arrived safely at the

Orphanage. On Saturday morning, each child was presented with its own quilt and sheets. Barb explained the meaning of the prayer knots and the fact that they were hand made just for them. The kids were absolutely delighted and quickly disappeared into the house to put them on their beds. The joy in the kids’ faces was obvious and very gratifying. It was a great treat to be part of the presentations. There was no doubt that these quilts for each individual will be an important part of their lives.

Mission Council completes the land purchase

The long-term plan of Rafiki is to have their own buildings on their own campus. The ministry had expanded from owning 1-½ acres two years ago to owning just over four acres of a five-acre parcel of land where the farm is currently located. Our Rotary District donated the funds to start a farm on the land, and that was dedicated last fall. The plan was to also build the campus of the Ministry on that land and be able to move out of the rental housing they are currently using. They currently house 32 orphans, but they plan to build two 50-bed dorms on the land with adjoining kitchen facilities. There was a deadline to complete the land purchase and they needed $5200 for that purchase. The Mission Council of FCC, after asking all of the appropriate questions and reviewing the situation thoroughly, provided the funding to complete the purchase. The effects of this gift are

wide ranging. The ability to complete the purchase of the five acres, has allowed them to enter into a “lease to buy” arrangement with the current owners for an additional five acres.

It has also allowed them to move forward with the plans for the buildings and actually place a well on the land. The well changes everything. Instead of needing to purchase water every month, they become sellers of water and anticipate monthly income of up to $3000/month. In addition, the availability of the water for irrigation changes the farm to a year around farm, instead of just producing during the rainy season, which is the current situation.

The drilling rig for the well, which had been delayed and which was not expected to arrive in time, actually rolled up to the farm just 30 minutes ahead of the ceremony on Saturday. During the three-hour event, the crew got things set up, and we were able to witness the drill actually entering the ground. By Sunday they were 1/3 of the way down, and as of this writing water is flowing freely from the well. Dick Wing was a major participant in the ceremonies and presided over the commissioning of the well.

FCC Guild 7 donates Clinic

We were delighted when Guild 7 told us they would be donating several hundred dollars in support of the Quilt Project. But we were dumbfounded when we heard they were committing $5000 for the building of a clinic on the Rafiki Campus! The clinic had been in the plans for a year or two in the future, but this commitment changed that timetable and moved it right on up to the front of the line with the Dormitory. It is envisioned that the Clinic will serve not only the kids of the orphanage, but the entire community. Staffed by a combination of physicians and nurses, first line medical care, including preventative measures, like baby shots, could be carried out locally, avoiding the day long trip and long waits at the nearest hospital. AIDS testing, counseling, and prevention education will also be a part of the program.

African Church treated to a Dick Wing Sermon

The Rev. Dr. John Nganga knows a good thing when he sees it, so he tapped Dick Wing to preach and serve communion at his local church on Sunday. The packed church listened to a fine message by Dick translated into the local Kikuyu dialect and seemed spell bound.

The Future

Going forward, there is still plenty to do after this round of construction. At the ribbon cuttings next June 2007, we anticipate a simultaneous ground breaking for the second 50-bed dormitory with adjoining kitchen. A trade school is also planned. Rafiki has already obtained computers, sewing machines, and welding equipment for starters, and they can begin the school in the Dormitory while awaiting a separate building. A chapel on the campus is also in the works. The Rotary District will likely provide furniture, fixtures and equipment for the buildings, but has restrictions in funding the buildings themselves. But the real focus remains the kids: kids like Rosemary Wambui, a Rafiki Graduate who is in law school in Kenya with an eye to becoming an advocate for her fellow AIDS orphans.

Terry Davis

Rafiki Orphanage and Farming Project

November 2005 Update

The Farming Project is Complete

Dateline, November 5, 2005

Kikuyu Town, Kenya, East Africa

It was a great day for the Kids in the Rafiki Aids Ministry in Kenya, as well as for District 6690, as the official blessing and opening of the Rafiki Farming Project took place on Saturday afternoon, November 5, 2005 officiated by the Bishop of the region, and with no shortage of speeches by Rafiki Board Members, local political people, as well as from us. 

It is hard to believe that almost exactly one year ago, I was standing on an empty field with kids and members of the board of Rafiki AIDS Ministry.  At that time they only owned 1 ½ acres and had a limited time option to purchase the rest of the 15 acre parcel.  One year later, they own almost 5 acres, and are in the process of entering into a lease-to-own arrangement for the remaining 10 acres.  The land was purchased by some individual donors, plus a donation from the Whitehall-Bexley Rotary Club.  The five acres has been fenced in, and about an acre and a half has been cleared, tilled, and already planted, just waiting for the rains which were beginning to arrive during our visit.  They have also completed the animal shelter and a wonderful “two-holer” pit latrine on the farm that should last for decades.

 
Completed animal shelter 
 
 Pit latrine on farm

Generous donations from the Rotary Clubs of Columbus, Capitol Square, Westerville, Belpre, and Sunbury Galena totaling $8890.70 were used for the buildings, fencing, trees, seeds, and livestock.  The livestock are settling in to their new home.  Four cows, 8-10 goats, and a large number of chickens are populating the newly constructed animal shelter, all of this purchased by funds donated by the clubs of District 6690. 

 
Cows settling in to their new home

  
Goats grazing outside the shelter 

 
Feed for chicks goes upstairs


Chicks seem to approve of menu 

The Dedication featured singing and dancing by the grandmothers of the Rafiki Kids, performances as a group and individually by the kids themselves, ceremonial ribbon cuttings, tree plantings, and speeches.

 
The crowd looks on for the ribbon cutting


Close-up of the sound system

 
Bishop cuts the ribbon


Plaque of Recognition

 
Grandmoms dance in gratitude


Kids sing a song

District Governor Peggy planted a ceremonial tree, and Rotarians Kirk Horn and Gary Vaughn from Capitol Square Club participate in the groundbreaking of the well, for which funding is being completed.

 
District Governor Peggy plants tree 


Ground breaking for the well

While we were there, we worked hard clearing land, visited schools, hung out with the kids, and generally felt very much a part of the Rafiki family.  They were wonderful hosts, and all of us had a great time.

 
Kids help with the clearing


Kids learning to count in English

In the end, it is all about the kids, whose bellies will be filled by food from the farm, and whose orphanage family will be benefited by all those who have contributed to this project, and those who will support it in the future.

                                   Thanks to everyone from the Rafiki Kids!

Terry Davis

November 14, 2005