An Update on Survival Programming at KAG Githunguchu Church

Pictured above: Survival mothers receive hybrid maize seeds for planting.

Thank you for your prayers and support for caregivers and babies at KAG Githunguchu Church in Ndiuni, Nairobi, Kenya. Cedarbrook Community Church, your support of this Survival program is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Compassion activities are currently on hold in Kenya, church staff continue to minister to mothers and children. Nearly 21,000 food packs have been delivered to Compassion-assisted families, and church staff are providing educational materials to families on ways to prevent the spread of the virus in neighborhoods. Church staff are also being diligent about conducting follow-up visits where there are suspected cases of abuse. Additionally, center staff distributed early childhood materials to be used at home, and solar lights to families without electricity so they can continue learning in the evenings. 

Centers are working hard to ensure that each family’s health and safety are a priority. Please keep this community in your prayers as they navigate uncharted circumstances, and continue to be ministered to through the love and hope of Jesus. This update includes Survival statistics from the center, a letter from a caregiver in the program, photos of the most recent Survival Activities, and photos of babies who recently transitioning from Survival to the home based sponsorship program.

Survival Statistics at KAG Githunguchu Church (January – June 2020)

A Letter of Gratitude from a Caregiver

Greetings Friends,

My name is Hannah and I am 22 years old. I am married to Peter and we are blessed with 2 children. My second child is named John and he is seven months old and enrolled in the Survival program. We live in a community where most people are casual laborers. My husband does different day jobs depending on what’s available. He also grows maize and beans on our small piece of land. I stay at home and take care of my two babies.

I dropped out of school in the 12th grade and got married when I was pregnant. Neither my husband or I had a source of income and life was very difficult. We depended on a very small amount of produce that was not enough to sustain us, and due to the poor economy, very little jobs were available. When life became very hard, I had a lot of conflicts with my husband. My husband started drinking due to our stressful situation, and he became an alcoholic. He started selling our household items so that he could get money to buy alcohol.

My mother used to encourage me by giving me the option to come back home. I did not know about family planning and I became pregnant again with my second born. This is when I got the chance to be in the Survival program, which has been of great benefit to me and my family. I was trained on family planning, and how to balance taking care of my children. I pray that God will help my children grow up to be healthy.

The Survival staff enlightened me on parenting and child care education. They also taught me how to prepare a balanced diet for my family. They visit me at home on monthly basis to monitor my baby’s growth. Whenever my son needs medical attention, they refer me to a hospital and the center helps with medical expenses. I am grateful to God because I also receive nutritional supplements from the church. Additionally, the Survival program gave me better seeds, as well as a water harvesting container and now my small farm produces a flourishing garden. This has helped me find a source of income because I sell the surplus at the market.

I am grateful that the Survival program has given me the opportunity to meet other mothers and we share experiences and encourage each other. Whenever the Word of God is shared during group meetings, I feel a stirring in my heart and it has encouraged me to keep moving forward despite the storms I’m facing.

I thank God for this program. Even during this global pandemic, God has been faithful and I believe He will make all things beautiful in His own time. Please pray with me that the pandemic will pass soon. Please also pray for my husband to stop drinking alcohol and to get a reliable source of income.

May God richly reward you for your continued support of the needy. God notices your work. God bless you.

Yours faithfully,

Hannah

Recent Activities at KAG Githunguchu Church

Babies Move From Surviving to Thriving Because of Your Support

Thanks to your support, these babies have recently transitioned to home based care through Compassion’s Sponsorship Program. They will continue their growth with the guidance provided to them by the staff at KAG Githunguchu Church Child Development Center and a loving sponsor.