| Country / Region: | Kenya / Mathare Valley |
|---|---|
| Project Summary: | The Mathare Valley Slum, in the heart of the city of Nairobi, holds more than half a million people. The Mathare Valley Project is a joint effort of Outreach Community Church and Mathare Community Outreach. |
| Bright Hope Support: | TBD |
The Mathare Valley Slum, in the heart of the city of Nairobi, holds more than half a million people. As the population has increased, so have poverty, crime, and diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The living conditions are horrific as human beings live with an uncontrolled number of animals in shelters of galvanized iron sheets nailed together to form 6 x 6 cubicles. There is no sewer system except a dirty river of garbage and human and animal wastes that runs through the middle of the slum.
The community lacks a basic health and sanitation infrastructure, which increases the risk of HIV/AIDS and other diseases like TB developing from an impaired immune system and infections. There are many AIDS orphans that need housing, care, and schooling.
The Mathare Valley Project is a joint effort of Outreach Community Church and Mathare Community Outreach. They run an orphanage and schools. The orphanage has over 300 children and the schools provide education to 1200. Classes include pursuing higher education and vocational classes in carpentry, sewing, and automobile repairs. There is also special training to become pastors, social workers, and community developers.
This project gets orphaned children into a safe environment with regular meals. They have an opportunity for education and care and encouragement from the teachers and staff. The vocational training is a part of the rehabilitation of prostitutes, drug addicts and armed robbers, who after accepting Jesus Christ, need a path that leads them out of the old way of supporting themselves.
Funding for this project provides support for the Executive Director and key leaders, and the orphans and their schooling.
