May 26, 2021

THE NATION OF KENYA

Kenya continues to suffer due to COVID-19. As the virus spreads, those that live in poverty are reminded how little access they have to an already weak health infrastructure. COVID-19 has disrupted the lives of all people including our staff and children. The Lord has been faithful to allow Chariots to continue to serve and love our homes above and beyond what is expected.

There has been an increase in overcrowding in informal settlements which does not allow for social distancing and poor access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. At our homes, we took swift action to create a safe environment. This included limited movement outside of the home, added sanitization practices, masking as appropriate, and following local and national regulations.

In addition to this, pandemic-related disruptions in Kenya’s transportation system has caused a separation between the poor because of the drastic rise in prices due to a half-capacity restriction. Even through these changes, Chariots for Hope provided safe, private transportation for our staff.

School has also changed during the past year. Due to the virus, schools have fluctuated from being fully open to closing completely several times. These closures have destabilized the children’s structure leaving a lot of unmonitored free time. When schools shut down, Chariots invested in hiring extra tutors—several were alumni from our homes who have degrees in or are studying education—to give more personalized attention to the children and to add creativity to learning. Capitalizing on the increased time at home, our staff brought our children together in purposeful, intentional, and creative ways. They ensured the children had activities to fill their times that taught skills, reinforced their education, and poured into them as people.

Like many countries, Kenya has faced a significant negative financial impact because of the measures created to reduce the virus’ spread such as lockdowns, curfews, and closure of business. The measures have led to people losing their jobs or facing pay cuts as well as business owners losing their source of livelihood. Although the lockdowns are no longer in effect, there are still massive long-lasting repercussions from the loss of income. We are so thankful that Chariots has been able to continue to pay our staff without interruption and the excellent care of our children within our 8 homes has not been negatively impacted. In fact, our staff have voiced reasons to be thankful during these uncertain times.

 

BEING THANKFUL—INSIGHTS FROM OUR HOMES

• Kaptagat: Staff had an opportunity to build deeper relationships with children and the home received new bathrooms with hot showers.
• Kitui: 8 babies were rescued and the staff had the opportunity to bond in special ways with our children because of the additional time spent at home.
• Maai Mahiu: Staff had special game days and received new much-needed wash basins.
• Mahiga: Alumni came to help and encourage staff and children and the home received new dining hall tables and chairs.
• Mogogosiek: 7 children were rescued out of desperate situations and the home welcomed 7 new staff members.
• Mukaa: The home celebrated Mama Beth’s retirement and the children learned how to plant vegetables.
• Mulango: The home hosted the first ever Mr. & Miss Mulango talent show and eliminated water problems by adding in solar power.
• Ogada: Staff versus children’s games brought fun and laughter, and several children received new glasses.

Overall, Chariots for Hope has used the unique opportunities this pandemic has caused to invest deeper and more holistically into the lives of our children and staff. We are thankful for the Lord’s sovereignty and faithfulness even through this unique season of COVID-19.

April 18, 2020

You might be wondering what quarantine looks like at our homes. Our homes are taking careful precautions to keep everyone safe. At the same time, like many families here, they’re using this time to enjoy one another’s company, learn new skills and have fun. Today we wanted to share a glimpse of that with you!

LIFE SKILLS
Each home seeks opportunities to teach important life skills to equip children for adulthood. At Kaptagat, Maai Mahiu, and Mukaa, students worked alongside staff members in the gardens, learning about preparing soil and planting. At Mulanggo, the students learned how to make detergent and at Ogada, the older girls worked with staff members on a sewing project, developing skills they can use in the future.

STUDIES CONTINUE
Just like for many of you, education moved home in the month of March. Our children’s homes have set aside time each day for children to work on their studies. Tutors are finding creative ways to help children learn. In several of our homes, high school and college students are helping the younger ones with their lessons. New resources were compiled by volunteers in the US and sent over to ensure the tutors have access to the tools they need.

TIME FOR FUN
Of course we want our children to have time for fun, games, and activities. At Mahiga, children participated in an Easter egg hunt around the campus and at several homes children are taking turns making chapati, a favorite treat, for everyone. Games, sports, and story time make for lots of smiles and laughter as they enjoy time together

CHURCH
Each of our homes have created their own church services each Sunday as local gatherings have shut down. The homes also continue to do their daily devotions together. They have greatly enjoyed singing together, hearing God’s word from a staff member, and spending time together in prayer for their communities, families and you!! They continue to trust that God is in control!

BABY HOMES
At our baby homes life actually looks quite normal. The staff continue to provide around the clock care for the youngest and most vulnerable children.

April 7, 2020

These are unprecedented times. We know that each of you, in different ways, are feeling the struggles that have come with this virus. Just like we as individuals are experiencing this pandemic differently, so is each culture and country. The implications of quarantine to nations with little to no infrastructure can have severe effects for both the short and long term. We’d encourage you to read both the article linked below as well as the updates from our homes. We are so thankful that all of our children and staff have remained safe and healthy so far, but Kenya as a country needs your prayers.

 

“From denial to brutal lockdown: How Africa’s response to ‘rich man’s’ disease has evolved”

March 18, 2020

I’m sure each of your inboxes are overflowing with messages about COVID-19, ours are too. As valued supporters of our work in Kenya we wanted to take a moment to give you an update from our homes.

The most important thing to hear is that right now,  our children and our staff are all safe, healthy and taking careful precautions. We are in frequent contact with our leaders on the ground and are ready to adapt and develop additional plans as needed.

Over the weekend Kenya announced their first positive case of COVID-19 and took steps to close their borders almost immediately. Soon after that news we received word that the Kenyan government would be closing down all schools (primary – university) throughout this week. Because of the planned April break (Kenyan schools are always shut for the month of April), our kids will be out of school for a minimum of 6 weeks. During this time our homes will be at max capacity as the older children will all be coming back from boarding school and we’ve asked our managers to keep all the children at the home and not have children travel to visit with guardians as we want to take careful measures to limit exposure.

Our managers, social workers and staff have been fully educated on the CDC’s precautions to prevent the spreading of the virus. In addition they are working to build up their food supply to prepare for very full homes for the next several weeks. As we saw in the US we are seeing some communities react in panic. Our homes are being careful and balanced in being prepared, yet not hoarding food or other resources. We are already seeing some increased prices for staples. Please be praying. Higher prices will impact us, but they could have significant ramifications on the poorest people in these communities who already struggle to provide food.

The infrastructure and health care systems in Kenya are limited. Given that, we want to be wise and intentional in our actions from the start to protect our children and staff. What we don’t want to do is incite fear and anxiety. Paul Mwaniki our National Director is in contact with us daily and is doing a remarkable job leading our team on the ground.

Our primary ask right now is that you join us in prayer. We know we serve a mighty God who is not caught off guard or anxious by the events of the past several weeks. Thank you for your prayers, your support and your love for the children and staff at the homes.

Here are a few of the things specifically on our hearts:
– Protection for our children as they travel back from school
– Wisdom for home leaders to navigate the unique challenges that will rise (social, emotional, physical, interpersonal, etc.)
– Strong food supply for our homes and local communities
– Health for our children and staff
– That fear and anxiety would not overtake
– Wisdom for government officials as they make decisions
– That these challenges would pull our staff and children closer to the Lord