Photo via adventurealternative.com

Buckner marks a decade of outreach in Kenya

A ministry is marking 10 years of outreach in Kenya at a time when their resources are likely to face significant challenges due to the famine, reports MNN.

Buckner International was joined by dignitaries like Pauline Kalonzo, wife of Kenya Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, who pledged that the Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation "will partner with Buckner in establishing more projects to improve the welfare of poor children."

Kalonzo also thanked Buckner President Albert Reyes and the agency's team for investing resources and trust in Kenya over the decade to improve the lives of children.

"It really moved me when I saw those orphans perform, and I thought to myself, ‘There should be many more organizations like Buckner,'" Kalonzo said. "Thank you for exercising what the Bible tells us: ‘Love your neighbor.'"

Reyes thanked Kalonzo for her support of Buckner Kenya and recognized the work of the Kenya Baptist Convention and the Arms of Jesus ministry from Canada for beginning the work. He also congratulated Dickson Masindano, director of Buckner Kenya, for his 10 years of leadership and for guiding the NGO's (non-governmental organization) growth. Masindano has led Buckner Kenya to expand beyond Nairobi to multiple locations across the country.

The ministry cares for an average of 37 children--ranging in age from 5 to 20 years old in a residential care program--as well as providing foster care services.

In Nairobi, Buckner provides a vocational training program with an emphasis on sewing and computer skills. Buckner also offers three formal school programs in Kenya, with campuses and medical clinics in Busia, Kitale and Nairobi.

The sites also include water wells and spiritual development programs in conjunction with all of the other ministries at each location.

Reyes told those attending the celebration that the work in Kenya is "a model of the kind of redemptive work Buckner seeks to do in every place where we work to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families."

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TAGS: Africa Kenya ministry Buckner International children

[08/07/2011]

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