This has been an exciting week here at KKV. Last Saturday, June 12, we were privileged to have Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) Academy come to spend the day with us. Approximately 40 – 50 children, along with teachers and some parents arrived in the morning. The day was filled with singing, a Bible lesson, and some games. They also brought tea and biscuits, and served us a delicious lunch. Seeing the children interact was very heart-warming. As the day drew to an end, NPC blessed our kids with gifts of food, clothing and some books before departing. It is truly wonderful to see God’s love demonstrated in such a tangible way. Many thanks and blessings to all at NPC who made this day possible.
Wednesday, June 16, KKV was selected to represent Kasarani District (here in Nairobi area) in the Kenya-wide celebration of the “Day of the African Child.” This day commemorates the 1976 Soweto (South Africa) uprising where thousands of African children were maimed and killed while protesting the inferior quality of their education and demanding the right to be taught in their own language. In researching this event I was broken as I looked at the statistics concerning African children. There are currently 2.4 million orphans in Kenya. Some 50,000 HIV children cannot receive treatment for AIDS due to lack of consistent care. In some parts of Africa 1 out of 4 children die before the age of 5 years old. Even here in Kenya, a more developed nation, 121 out of every 1,000 children die before the age of 5. Also, many moms die in childbirth, creating more orphans. Millions of primary age children receive no education. It is education that will help change these statistics.
Sixteen of our children and two teachers attended this event. They were given the privilege of performing for Esther Murungi Mathenge, who is the Assistant Minister of Gender, Children and Social Development of the Kenyan Government. While many schools chose to recite poetry or perform dances, our children quoted the Beatitudes. Our children know that a good education and care is important, but only Jesus can truly change a nation. We are very proud of them for being a light to their generation.