We are beyond excited to be back home this summer! We are in need of a break and can't wait to enjoy people and places we miss deeply! Although we come home tired, we also come home committed and excited to share with you the God-sized, expanded vision stirring within Oasis. The goal of this newsletter is to briefly share that vision and our needs trusting that it will lead to fruitful conversations when we are with you. Enjoy this video that briefly explains this vision.
OASIS VIDEO
At Oasis, we believe God is asking us to eliminate the orphan crisis in the six counties of southwest Kenya. There are 240,000 orphaned children in this area and the Kenyan government has identified 110,000 of them as vulnerable. Vulnerable means that these orphaned children living in southwest Kenya are suffering from:
- Poor nutrition
- Limited access to education
- Limited access to medical care
- Early engagement in sexual activity
- Limited access to HIV treatment
Our vision is to be a catalyst in the region that leading to the rescue and restoration of each of the 110,000 vulnerable orphaned children in southwest Kenya.
We believe God has placed the current Oasis children's homes uniquely in three strategic geographic areas in southwest Kenya. As we've researched, studied and prayed through this, we believe that God is asking us to expand these children's homes into centers that not only serve children on site but also reach vulnerable orphaned children in the surrounding communities. These centers will give us a presence in the community so we can expand partnerships and form strategic alliances with like-minded organizations. Together, we can end the orphan crisis here!
We are excited to share more of our specific plans with you face to face, so please choose an event to attend. If you are unable to to make it, the following is a summary of the Oasis and personal needs we are seeking to meet this summer. Please begin praying about how God may be asking you to get involved.
Specific Oasis Kenya Needs
The Shelter: The multipurpose building is complete as well as House 1! We intend to bring 20 children to the home in December and grow to 60 kids by the end of 2016! Our 2015 goal is to raise $120,000 to build houses 2 and 3 and complete the infrastructure necessary to make the homes functional. The newly constructed Shelter will be Oasis' flagship Center, providing care for children both and in existing homes in the surrounding community.
The Hill: There are 62 children living in the home and 40 children in high school. The challenge at The Hill is in moving an established program towards an expanded vision. Important adjustments need to be made in both the home and the community, but God has already brought many pieces together over the last year. In 2015, we are looking to fence in the six acres of property that are being titled to Oasis for Orphans including the children's home and the school. We are also looking to complete some critical furnishing and repair projects at the home. Our goal is to raise $20K for the fence and home improvement projects at The Hill.
The Valley:
Oasis officially began the sponsorship of 30 children at The Valley in September. Since then, the children's school scores have increased by 22%, and their health has dramatically improved - Textbooks, trained teachers, and nutritious food make a difference! The Valley is working out of temporary buildings, which need reinforcements until we can secure new land and build more permanent structures. Our 2015 goal is to raise $5000 for building improvements and an additional $15,000 towards the purchase of land.
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| Michael, the US Managing Director, his wife, Kathy, and the boys in front of one of the structures that collapsed during a rain storm at The Valley. |
Smith
Personal
On
a personal note, we’ve had car trouble and are going to need to rebuild the
engine on the Land Cruiser to the tune of over $16,000. While this seems
ridiculous, replacing the vehicle with another used car would cost upwards of
40,K and we would still be inheriting someone else’s problems. The rebuild
seems to be the most reasonable. We also have lost several monthly donors
whot we would like to replace. If you are
able to join our support team on a monthly basis, we would greatly appreciate
it.
