Background and Need Served:
Kenya is a diverse African country, with many different people groups and cultures represented. Ethnic division, drought, poverty and AIDS account for many of Kenya's problems. With one of the highest rates of population growth in the world, exacerbated by recurring drought, Kenya no longer is able to feed itself and imports large quantities of food.
Eight out of ten Kenyans are subsistence farmers or cattle herders and live in dispersed rural settlements. And the situation in Kenya is deteriorating. The average annual per capita income of a citizen of Kenya in 1992 was $378. Today it is $271. The income has been steadily decreasing. There are few private or public efforts to educate communities in Kenya on sustainable development. Fifty-seven percent of available water used daily is potentially unsafe. Environmental damage is occurring without strong countermeasures. The average calorie consumption per capital is under 2000 per day, coupled with nutrient deficits.
The government provides free basic education through primary school. Although seventy-four percent of children in Kenya attend primary school, only 24% move on to secondary school. The rural poor are at a great disadvantage for receiving education. They have little money to find needed resources for knowledge – and yet have the greatest need. Due to all the factors of decline, and the lack of education towards sustainable development, the situation in Kenya with lack of food and poor nutrition is getting worse. Education is seen as a critical mechanism to provide life changing skills to address many of the critical issues facing Kenya today.
The ministry focus of this project is on the three Bishop Imathiu schools:
- Kithoka Youth Polytechnic School, which provides vocational training for youth who do not go on to high school, to enable them to be self-employed and self-sufficient.
- Bishop Imathiu High School, which provides education to those families in the area who can not afford the predominant boarding school system in Kenya, and hence serves the poorest in the community through this day school.
- Bishop Imathiu Primary Boarding School, which provides upper elementary (grades 4-8) education as an option for Kaaga Methodist District churches.
Outreach Project Purpose:
The vision of the FUMC Kenyan Outreach Ministries Project is:
- to join God in service to the poor in Kenya
- to provide nurturing ongoing, interpersonal relationships between the Meru and Ann Arbor communities, and
- to make a difference in the success of the Bishop Imathiu schools to provide post-elementary education to the poorest in the Kithoka district outside Meru, Kenya.
Drawing on the passion and energy of the FUMC congregation and beyond, the long term objectives are to foster relationships and provide resources, funding, skills and other assistance to:
- Mwanika Methodist Church in Kithoka, whose congregation provides the local driving force for the Bishop Imathiu schools.
- Provide ongoing support to the Bishop Imathiu schools to help:
- Complete construction
- Furnish and maintain the schools
- Secure and support teachers
- Provide funding for educational scholarships for the most needy students
- Provide educational materials, training and teaching assistance as needed
Accomplishment to Date:
In 2004, FUMC funded a three-room classroom building and provided electricity for the Polytechnic School. At the Primary School, Florence Hall, a large dining hall was renovated with the hope that it could be used as a community hall as well. Musical instruments, sewing machines and supplies were provided as well. The Strangely Warmed Players, FUMC’s youth drama troupe, traveled daily, performing in area schools. $62,922 in funds were provided in support of project objectives.
In 2006, FUMC funded the construction of the cement superstructure for a 10-room high school building, set-up a library in a converted dormitory building, brought over 300 cataloged books, and provided science equipment. $63,642 in funds were provided in support of project objectives.
In 2007, FUMC funded the completion of the 10-room High School building, providing classroom facilities for 350-400 students. Additional books were delivered to the library and additional musical instruments to the Thiiri Center for Culture, Music and Community Development. A youth drama troupe was trained at the Thiiri Center. Filming began for documentaries. A music training program was started for both the high school and community. Funding was provided to hire a full time position to manage the music training program at the Thiiri Center. Small business seminars were held to help the poorest in the community to develop business plans. As of 9/1/07, $77,307 in funds were provided in support of project objectives.
Project Goals/Timing:
2007: Goals Timing
Outreach Mission trip: September 2007
- Continue music training program
- Discern needs, priorities and resources/support needed by the Bishop Imathiu schools and the Mwanika Methodist Church, for use in developing ongoing FUMC project goals and objectives.
Project Management
- Update/refine Project plans and profile
- Establish ongoing project team
- Develop plans for 2008 fundraising and outreach mission trips
2008:
Goals
- Provide $30,000 funding for capital projects at Bishop Imathiu schools
- Provide $10,000 for Connecting Congregation and capital projects at Mwanika Methodist Church
- Provide $10,000 funding for scholarships for needy students
- Conduct Outreach mission trip to Kenya in February 2008 to:
- Provide encouragement and assistance in support of use of the funds for the capital improvements at the schools and church.
- Provide classroom enrichment at the Bishop Imathiu schools, based on the skills of the team members
- Provide further music education
- Further develop a local youth drama troupe and create scripts using local folk tales
- Perform community service work at the Mwanika Methodist Church and Thiiri Cultural Center
- Note: These objectives will be reviewed/refined based on needs and priorities identified during the Sept. 2007 Outreach mission trip.
- Conduct a second, focused Outreach mission trip of 7-14 people in 3Q 2007 to address specific needs identified in September 2007 trip.
Current Team Members:
- Gary McClusky, leader
- Beth Miller, Co-Leader
- (5-6 additional team members needed)
Estimated Project Costs
Activity Funds Required
2H2007 Educational scholarships $10,000
2008 Educational Scholarships $10,000
Capital/Material projects for schools $30,000
Connecting Congregation/Capital $10,000
2009 & Ongoing support ~$50,000/yr.
Beyond
Proposed Source of Resources/Funds
Activity Goal Projected Timing
4Q 2007:
Outreach Auction TBD 4Q2007
- Educational Scholarships- $10,000 4Q2007
Christmas Tree ornaments & appeal
2008:
- Donations/fund raising $9,800 1Q2008
from trip participants
($700 each)
- Appeal for donations of (n/a) 1Q2008
materials & supplies
- Financial appeal $15,000 2Q2007
to congregation
- 2008 Outreach Ministries TBD 1Q2008
operating budget
- Strangely Warmed Players $4,000 thruout 2008
benefit performances
- Necklace sales at $10,000 2008
General Conference
- Harvest Dinner/ TBD 4Q2008
Outreach Auction
- Other fundraising events $11,200 thruout 2008
Volunteer Needs:
Task # Volunteers When How Long
- Project team members 4-6 4Q2008 1yr
Participants 14 Feb 2008 2 weeks +
- Mission supplies 4-5 Jan 2008 4 weeks
donation organization
- Other fundraising many see Outreach Fundraising
Events Profiles
Date Completed: September 10, 2007 By: Gary McClusky/Beth Miller
