November 2020
Dear Ministry Friend,
Thank you for faithfully supporting Kenya Children’s Fund (KCF) and the Kinyago-Dandora Schools (KDS). Over the past year we certainly faced many challenges but we experienced far more victories because of your compassion for the impoverished children put into our care.
The word Kinyago is derived from a Kikuyu word meaning “sufferer” or “unsettled”. In early 1980, the Kenyan Government moved squatters from different parts of Kenya to one location. These refugees were moving away from hardship longing for a permanent home. Unsettled and suffering, the people found a place in the slum village now known as the Kinyago-Dandora area. Just a short time later, this same area was established as the dumping ground for the city of Nairobi. In this sea of destitution our schools became an oasis from the despair. KDS is a beacon of hope.
We often pray the message of hope found in Isaiah 61:1-4: The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on us, because the Lord has anointed KCF to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
These verses are applicable to our mission. In raising up God’s precious little ones to be future leaders, we trust that they will rebuild and restore this place that has been devastated for generations. We are grateful that you have helped our students become the best they can be through all of the opportunities given to them at KDS.
While our schools were closed we worked with the Kenyan Government to provide much needed meals to the community. The KDS kitchen continues to serve over 2,000 meals per week to students, families and anyone who needs a warm nutritious meal. Our school nurse provides community health care and teachers created lesson plans to keep children academically engaged. In addition, we distributed over 2,000 face masks which are mandatory in Kenya but many people cannot afford to buy.
Now we need your help more than ever, prayerfully and financially. We are preparing to officially re-open KDS in January. John Schwarz, the founder of KCF and KDS has donated $15,000 trusting our goal of $50,000 will be exceeded. Please consider a year-end gift to offset school operations in Kenya in 2021 and join John’s generosity to the mission he and his wife Babby started nearly 35 years ago.
Because of you, we continue to be a blessing, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.
We thank you and give glory to God as He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, even the princes of his own people! Psalm 113:7-8
For His Precious Little Ones,
Ginger Palm
KCF President
