Go Ministries Orphanage Support
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." - James 1:27
An issue of great concern in Kenya, is the growing number of orphans and vulnerable children. Kenya’s population is over 55 million people, with over 40% (24 million) of them under the age of 18. Approximately 3.6 million Kenyan children are orphans or otherwise classified as vulnerable. Of these, an estimated 700,000 children have lost both parents, while 2.6 million children have lost at least one. The remaining children are considered vulnerable due to poverty, harmful cultural practices, family breakdown, abandonment, natural disasters, ethnic and political conflict, and poor care arrangements.
According to a United Nations Development Program report, approximately 36% of Kenyans live below the national poverty line. This means an estimated 19.8 million Kenyans struggle to afford even one meal a day. In Nairobi alone, 70% of the population lives in slums, and 70% of the children in those slums do not attend school. Too often, children are left to fend for themselves and live on the streets because no one is able to take care of them!
Communities in Kenya have traditionally responded to children without parental care by placing them in the care of extended family or community members. However, this method of care is under threat due to increasing socio-economic pressures and declining family foundations, leaving many children at risk of becoming street children. With limited government facilities, the alternative is for children to be placed in private children’s homes or orphanages.
Go Ministries had the privilege of visiting two such children’s homes in Githurai 45 on a mission trip in May 2024. The first, Father’s Shelter, currently houses 32 children ranging in age from 1 – 19 years. Then we visited Ebenezer Children’s Home, which houses 35 children ranging in age from 8 – 17 years old. The government in Kenya does not provide support or any type of subsidises to private orphanages. They To provide food for both orphanages costs an estimated $350 a week.
According to a United Nations Development Program report, approximately 36% of Kenyans live below the national poverty line. This means an estimated 19.8 million Kenyans struggle to afford even one meal a day. In Nairobi alone, 70% of the population lives in slums, and 70% of the children in those slums do not attend school. Too often, children are left to fend for themselves and live on the streets because no one is able to take care of them!
Communities in Kenya have traditionally responded to children without parental care by placing them in the care of extended family or community members. However, this method of care is under threat due to increasing socio-economic pressures and declining family foundations, leaving many children at risk of becoming street children. With limited government facilities, the alternative is for children to be placed in private children’s homes or orphanages.
Go Ministries had the privilege of visiting two such children’s homes in Githurai 45 on a mission trip in May 2024. The first, Father’s Shelter, currently houses 32 children ranging in age from 1 – 19 years. Then we visited Ebenezer Children’s Home, which houses 35 children ranging in age from 8 – 17 years old. The government in Kenya does not provide support or any type of subsidises to private orphanages. They To provide food for both orphanages costs an estimated $350 a week.
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Father's Shelter Children's Home in Githurai Kimbo currently houses 32 children ranging in age from 1 - 19 years.
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