Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Kenya: Week 3

Pastor Okumu and the head teacher of Soweto Academy with the team
The third week of our activities took us to Kibera slums where we served at Soweto Academy. Soweto Academy is situated in the depth of Africa’s biggest slum with a population of about 1 million people. As a result of the high population, sanitation is poor and to access even a rest room one has to pay an amount depending on whether it is a short or long call. 

The school was started by Pastor Okumu to cater to orphans and other vulnerable children in the slums especially the girl child. Pastor Okumu studied in the US but in spite of the many opportunities he had to live and work there he declined all so that he could come to work and make a difference to the people of Kibera slums. Among the activities we participated in the school were teaching in the classes, helping the teachers mark assignments and sports. 

We finalized the week on Friday by doing door to door evangelism in another slum called Mukuru Kwa Njenga in the Eastern parts of Nairobi. We divided ourselves in three groups so that we could minister to as many people as possible. Many people were caught by surprise to meet a group of young white people in their door steps, business premises and other areas in the locality spreading the good news and telling them about Jesus. It was indeed a very good week for the team. 

Meanwhile Shera continued to train Jane on sewing. For the short time Shera has been training, Jane is able to make folders, bags, shirts and wallets.