November 2010 report at bottom of this article:

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

SHANGILIA CHILDREN’S HOME            November 2011

                                PO BOX 94 VIHIGA 50310

                                        KENYA

Praise is to God Almighty for his sufficient grace and for keeping us in good health since the beginning of this year.  This year has been wonderful and we are pleased to update you on our activities since the beginning of the year.

Accomplishments & Highlights

Shangilia Children’s Home has been able to successfully accommodate 17 new needy children since the beginning of this year. Here are some of the stories about these children.

Dennis Adorwa

Dennis was found abandoned at his tender age on the street by unknown person. The poor boy knew nothing about his background except his name “Deno”. He was rescued by local residence who then took him to Children Department Office in the district for more investigation. Not only did no one show up in search for him but also the officers were not able to locate his parents. They decided to bring him to shangilia on 20^th September for care and protection. He now has anew name called Dennis Adorwa. He is about 2 years old and is very happy to be part of the shangilia family.

Ashlyne Ariviza

Ashlyne Ariviza an orphan had been staying with her poor grandfather in a tiny rental house in a town called Marengo. She had been denied access to education and other basic requirements. The Office of the Children Department was very much concerned about the situation and took action to save Ashlyne who was vulnerable to abuse at her tender age. On 21^st July 2011 she was brought to shangilia children home for proper care and protection.

Highlights on Education

Most schools in Kenya have already closed in anticipation for December holidays. All our kids are now at home looking forward to a great festival season. Eleven 12^th grade   students are out of school after completing their final exams. Their results will be announced in February 2012.

We are glad to report that all grade 12 students who sat for exams last year passed well. Shangilia is unable to take them to college due to lack of funds.

Another accomplishment this year has been sending Getlyne to college.  She is a high school graduate who is currently pursuing a Certificate Course in Early Childhood and Development. Getylene is one of the first Shangilia High school graduates who currently has volunteered to assist Shangilia small kids as a care giver.

 Transformations

Most children at the time when they join shangilia are broken hearted, so weak that they normally show no sign of happiness. This is often because most of them have lost their loved ones and nobody seems to care for them thus feeling abandoned. It is amazing how shangilia helps these kids to find happiness by creating an environment where they can sing, play and learn more about God.

 Shangilia children singing at Oasis of Joy Church

What’s new?

The constructions of the gate and guards house at the boys residence and a general purpose bathrooms for girls. The three projects were successfully accomplished in July 2011.

New gate                                   Watchman house

New bathrooms for girls                           5 month old calf

We began with only one dairy cow and now the number has increased to four. We are trying our best to ensure they feed properly by planting more grass as shown in the picture bellow.

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Newly planted grass for the dairy cattle

 Challenges, Needs & Lessons

Despite these positive developments, we have experienced some difficulties. The growing number of children and the rapid increase in the cost of essential items has been one of the major challenges. Another problem has been feeding 15 additional kids from the poor community. However, the generous support of our donors is highly appreciated.

One of our major goals is to provide education for all our children. This is sometimes very difficult to accomplish since education in Kenya is not free. We are required to pay for textbooks, school uniforms, extra holiday tuition fees, school supplies and exams.

• The needs for children at the moment include food, beddings, school fees, School uniform, shoes and bring electricity.

The future

Shangilia Children Home would like to thank all corporate and individual donors for their generous support without whom we could not maintain this program. 

Our future plans are:

• Send 4 grade 8 graduates to high school next year.
• Pay school fees for 20 on going high school students
• Expansion of water supply
• Initiate money generating projects for the orphanage
• Long term -Building boys dormetry
• Long term – Purchase of home van

  Thank you

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

• Buy food and other essentials for the children.
• Paid school fees for children.
• Run our day to day operations successfully.

Thank you very much indeed.

We wish you a happy new year 2012.

Kefa Kadenga