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. 

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Happy new year greetings from Shangilia family. We would like to thank you for your support which has enabled us to reach this far. In this new year we hope for more greater things to happen. We wish to update you on some of the accomplishments  and our plans for the new year.

1. Accomplishments & Highlights

After a long holiday, the schools have just opened. We are very happy that all our kids have moved to the next grade. The month of January is so challenging for us because we have to purchase  books, new school uniforms and  pay school fees.

 Kindergarden School  Boys 5 Girls 4

Primary School          Boys 26 Girls 14

High School              Boys 5 Girls 7

University/College     Boys 4 Girls 2

We are very grateful for the partners who are supporting us to do the transition of the children from the orphanage back to the society by supporting their education. Elizabeth and Clinton are doing their second year in university, Juma 1st year and Lillian 3rd year in nursing school . Alex and Geoffrey are in trade school . Learning building work.

Nehema and Harriet have been a blessing to us for sacrificing their time to stay with us for a while to support the staff in serving the children of Shangilia Since 2014 .They are now hoping to join college this year in September .

2. Transformation

Christian Bahati  is about two years old. He was found abandoned on the street and rescued by a good Samaritan. He was taken to the District Children Department who then decided to place him at Shangilia on 13th January 2016 for care and protection.

Like Bahati, abandoned and vulnerable children are faced with many problems such as lack of basic needs, lack parental care, supervision and protection. Hence, resulting to malnutrition.

When Bahati came to Shangilia, he was very quiet ,looked sad and could hardly smile. He also looked weak and hungry. Due to poor health, we took him to the hospital for check up and treatment.

Bahati is now getting on very well. He has so many new friends now at the orphanage who loves him. His health has greatly improved and he is very happy to be in the new home. We are trusting God for a sponsor for Bahati.

3. What's New

    Boys in the new house                                          The meeting Area in the new House

The Boys House was the biggest project for us last year. It started in April up to November 2015. We are very grateful for the Plymouth Covenant Church for their donation. We were able to complete the house in a short time.

On the 1st December 2015, the house was dedicated by Pastor Francis , Kefa and Randy.

The mission team from Plymouth Church led by Randy furnished the house and set up the rooms for the boys to move in.

The boys were very excited to be in a big house. They experienced a transition which came with new responsibilities of keeping it clean and neat by learning how to arrange their shoes, clothes and other personal effect in the right place. They also have more space for studying, fellowship  and games.

 4. Team/Intern Support

October 2015: Jim and Janice Phillips from USA came in October 2015 for 10 days. They came for the school of ministry and ministered to shangilia staff and Children. They also brought clothes and shoes for the children.

November 29th – December 4th 2015: Randy Stensgard came with a team of 10 people from Plymouth church in Minnesota. They ministered to Shangilia kids and Staff and they also bought furniture and beddings for the new boys house and Christmas gifts for the kids and staff

Mark  and Julia  - December  2nd to 6th December 2015– Ministering to children.

5. Challenges Needs & Lessons

Water Problem: Due to climatic change our water supply from the down spring has gone low therefore borehole is needed.

Girls House: The girls house needs renovation.

The boy child: The cases of abandoned children especially boys is too high and has resulted for us having more boys than girls.

Staff Support: The support for our staff.

6. The Future

The new Truck– Jim Phillips is raising funds to purchase a new Toyota Hillux for Shangilia.

Bore Hole- Lee Robinson is coming in February 2016 to sink a well

Dinning Hall– We are hoping to have a multipurpose dinning hall where all the kids would be able to take their meals.

7. Thank You

We are so grateful to our donors, supporters , the Shangilia Board and staff and all well wishers for great support given to Shangilia that is doing wonderful things to living of the children at the orphanage. It is due to your support we have been able to:

The basic needs for the children

• Monthly support for the staff.
• The construction of the Boys House
• Tuition for Kindergarten, primary , high school and university
• New school uniforms  for the children
• Christmas gifts and special events

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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