SHANGILIA CHILDREN'S HOME at Vihiga, Kenya, East Africa is a faith ministry that cares for needy destitute children by providing: education, shelter, food, parental care, and spiritual nourishment.  ("Shangilia" is a Swahili word meaning "rejoice".)  Pastors Kefa and Lonika Kadenge are on-site directors.  In addition to Shangilia, Kefa is the pastor of a church two and half hours away; and on Sundays he drives five hours round trip.  Lonika is a nurse and she helps when a child is sick.  Together they work 24/7.  Pastor Francis Ranogwa is the president and founded Shangilia Chrisren's Home in the year 2000. 

I have known this couple since my first trip to Kenya in 1980 and know their work to be borne of the calling of God upon their lives.  They seek to care of the homeless of Kenya.

The orphanage is situated in Chanzoka Village, Idereli sub-location, South Maragoli location, Vihiga district, Western Province, Kenya.  They are thirty minutes from Kisumu City on Lake Victoria and two hours from the Ugandan border. 

The area where they are located has over 5,000 orphans and needy children.  The area has 65% of the people living below the poverty level with a daily wage of about one dollar.  Their children come from different tribes where one or both parents have died principally by the AIDS/ HIV virus or malaria.  In every case their children have been on the streets and rejected. 

The Kadenges donated five acres of land where their home houses 46 children.  They share their bedroom with the smaller ones while 26 girls live in two bedrooms with four girls to a bunk bed while the boys stay in a muddy old building.  Soon a girls shelter will be finished with eight bedrooms and will house 32 girls.  There are other shelters on the property for milk cows, a few chickens and a kitchen. 

Each evening the children gather after the meal and have a service where they sing, pray for each other's needs and read the Word of God together.  This is where they get their strength.  They also have morning devotions for the children. 

They have some good people helping their work, 11 helpers and 2 teachers. The cost of living for one child is $30.00 per month while High School Fees are $500.00 per student, per semester. 

Do pray about helping in the support of this fine work where the Lord Jesus is honored and the Kenyan children learn that there is more to life than simply wonderfing where your next meal is coming from.  All donations are tax deductable but above all the God sees your contributions and will reward you openly. 

- Jim Brunner