St.Andrew’s Kenyan Links

Links between St.Andrew’s URC Canterbury and Kenya have been established for over ten years and came about as a result of the relationship between the former minister of St.Andrew’s, Derek Newton and the Pastor of the Chrisco churches, Daniel Gitau. In September 2004 Geoff Felton and Hugh and Sue Marsh visited three churches we have been supporting in order to encourage them and see the work they are carrying out.

Each one of the three churches had a single project that it focused on. The projects were as follows:

• Dundori - Medical Centre.
• Kamwaura - School.
• Molo - Feeding Programme for children living on the street.

Medical Centre, Dundori

The Local Pastor of the church who is also a trained, fully qualified clinic officer oversees the medical centre run by the church. It employs 4 other people, an administrator, a nurse, a dental specialist and another clinic officer. The building is presently rented and the premises are shared with a local shop.

The pharmacy is sparsely stocked, the conditions are incredibly basic and the funding is haphazard.

There is a maternity suite, an observation room and sleeping quarters for the nurse.

Funding comes from small government grants and church contributions, either local or international.

This is the only medical facility for 25km, the closest hospital being in Nakuru town.

School, Kamwaura

The church in Kamwaura has built a school that now educates up to 80 children a day. The school employs 8 staff, seven teachers and one administrator. All staff are, committed, practising Christians.

The building is utilised as a church on Sunday and mid week for various activities.

The school currently has two buildings in which there are five classes.

In 2003 the school built toilets and installed a tap enabling the school to be officially recognised by the government.

The school caters for those children who may not necessarily be able to obtain an education due to financial restraints.

Feeding programme, Molo

The church in Molo is currently reaching out to the community by providing a lunchtime meal for approximately 25 homeless children varying in age between 5 and 16.

The meal consists of a drink, cabbage and Ugali (A traditional dish of ground up Maize flower). Each meal costs approximately 7p so total cost for one week for 25 boys is approx £12.25.

Food is cooked on site by volunteers from the church.

The children are in real need and the church is stretching itself in faith by providing this outreach to the young people.

See also: Mission | Overseas Missionaries