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Buckner Assumes Kenya Children’s By Scott Collins Buckner International has assumed responsibility for the Seed of Hope Children’s Home in Kitale, Kenya effective Jan. 1. The home, located in western Kenya, houses 69 orphan children, three house families, a school, a clinic, a church, and numerous community services. The addition of Seed of Hope brings the number of children and families served by Buckner in Kenya to nearly 300, including foster care programs in the capital of Nairobi as well as Busia and Kitale. In addition, Buckner works closely with Kenya Baptists in the operation of the Baptist Children’s Center in Nairobi. Other Buckner partnerships in Kenya include work with children in Nairobi slums. In announcing the addition of Seed of Hope, Buckner Vice President of Global Initiatives Randy Daniels also said Esther Wanjiku Ngure has been named manager of the home. Ngure is from Kitale and brings more than seven years of experience working in social care. Buckner Kenya Director Dickson Masindano oversees the organization’s ministry in the country. “Seed of Hope is having a profound impact on the lives of so many boys and girls in Kitale,” Daniels said. “It is critical to these children that Buckner sustain this wonderful ministry and add to its growth for the future.” Seed of Hope was started as a ministry of German evangelical Christians. Carsten and Silke Werner were instrumental in starting the orphanage and the other ministries associated with Seed of Hope in Kitale. Daniels said when the time came for the Werners to return to Germany, they contacted Buckner about assuming the children’s home. “We were in the process of beginning foster care in Kitale at the time and this just seemed to be an answer to prayer,” Daniels said. Short-term mission teams from Buckner work in Kenya on a regular basis, providing Vacation Bible Schools for the children in Buckner’s care, teaching sports camps, providing medical clinics, and helping build community development centers that serve children and families in local communities. Carsten Werner said the experience Buckner has working in developing countries “gives us hope that what we started will continue. This cooperative work is a blessing for our children’s home because now a strong partner will share the responsibility with us.” He added that while he and his family are returning to Germany, they remain committed to helping Buckner raise financial support for Seed of Hope. Anyone interested in Buckner mission trips to Kenya may find additional information and trip dates at www.itsyourmission.com. |
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