Kalimani Guardians of Hope

(Back) Dennis, Aaron, Erica, Richard, Kathryn, Jonathan

(Front) Judith, Ruth, Deborah, and Theresa

On Wednesday, we joined our CBM colleague Dennis Sherman and the Pedde family of Regina during their short term mission in East Africa. We had the pleasure of introducing them to the ministry of Guardians of Hope in the countryside of Ukambani. We were also blessed to have Ruth Minyua, the Africa Director of The Sharing Way, and members of the Africa Brotherhood Development Team with us.

Aaron and our friend Dennis

at the Tea Tot Hotel in Machakos

Guardians of Hope Kalimani

On Thursday, we travelled to Kangundo to meet with Rev. Canon Mukwilu and members of the Kalimani Guardians of Hope group. Over the past four years since its creation, the group has mobilized 90 members of this small community to help one another serve the growing number of AIDS orphans that are being taken in by aging widows and caregivers. According to pastor Mukwilu, nearly 40% of the children living in the village are orphans being cared for by grandmothers and widows.

New Borehole brings New Hope

Through the generosity of Canadian Baptists the entire community is benefitting from the digging and operation of a well that is now provide inexpensive water for families. Prior to the borehole, a family would either spend hours a day carrying water to the village or as much as 50 ksh/ to purchase the water they needed from local merchants. A family in the community can now buy that same amount of water right in the village for less than 10 ksh/. The bore hole also provides water for the local blind school, the GOH seedlings project and the church.

Guardians walking by the borehole

Income Generating Activities

Every member of the Guardians of Hope in Kalimani shares a plot of seedling with another woman that they care for together and sell at market to raise money to help HIV/AIDS orphans within the group with school fees and medical costs.

Guardians of Hope member Elizabeth Nzau

working on her Mango tree seedlings

By grafting their tree seedlings, the Guardians improve the value of their trees and greatly increase the profits earned at market.

Africa Brotherhood Church Kalimani

Each Sunday, as many as 500 people from the village and surrounding area worship here at the Africa Brotherhood Church. Through their commitment to integral mission, the church preaches and demonstrates the fullness of the gospel lived out in word and deed. Together they are bringing the transforming love of Christ into the lives of people in their community. One of the verses the women of guardians have imprinted upon their kanga skirts is 1 Samuel 8 "Up to this point the Lord has helped us!" As we gathered to hear their stories and songs of worship, it was evident that the power of faith in Christ had emboldened them to bring change to their community.

Erica with a little girl being cared

for by Veronica, a Guardian of Hope

Through the efforts of the Guardians of Hope Africa thousands of orphaned children throughout Kenya, Rwanda and Angola are being cared for by communities of faith committed to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. Please continue to pray for the Guardians of Hope as they sacrificially open their homes and give of their resources to protect some of the most vulnerable members of this generation.