20/02/2018
Pls just take few mins and read our newsletter; CHAMPIONS OF CHRIST MINISTRY
2017 NEWS LETTER
I take this opportunity to thank God for you. Through your giving and prayers, God has touched so many lives.
Champions Of Christ Ministry is a religious institution that is comprised of churches, school, feeding program and orphanage.
Things have been very hard and tough for us this season 2017. But we have to confess that God has seen us through and we are grateful. I can say as Joseph said to his brethren in Gen 45:7……And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. God has used you to preserve and to touch so many lives. You might not know or meet them, but keep this in your heart that whatsoever you do to the least of His people that you do unto Him….. Matthew 25:40.
Kenya has gone through tough times because of the political instability and climate changes, which in turn have affected everything in the market. Everything in our normal budget went up. I was forced to do what I could.
Champions Child is orphanage under champions of Christ Ministry that takes care of children who are orphaned and have no people to take them in. As at December 2017, we had 25 children both girls and boys ( 5 more boys were coming in by 2nd January)
SALARIES
It has been hard to retain some teachers due to the inflation in economy. They all need increment in salary and yet the institution is not in a position to do that. This has forced us to have few qualified teachers and the rest are volunteers who come when they are free. This has or will contribute to poor academic performance of the children.
FOOD
If we can compare the expenses for the four quarters, we can see that the food rose up to three times the normal price.
The first 2 quarters we were serving 3 meals per day but the average was at least $ 967 per month but the last 2 quarters we served 2 meals per day and average price was $1,108. Which means if we were to continue serving the normal 3 meals per day, it would have cost us around $1662 per month - an increase of 71.9%.
COOKING GAS
It happened that for 2 months there was no cooking gas in our locality. We had to organize with a company that makes improved cooking stoves, which uses firewood. We call it ‘improved’ because it is made in such a manner that the smoke does not fill the kitchen but goes out, unlike the previous one which the smoke remained inside. With this new firewood stove we are saving a little.
The improved stove was costing $ 1650. Due to the pressing need at that time we talked with them and accepted to spread the payment in 3 installments. We paid the 1st installment of $550 and the balance should be cleared twice.
The benefit of using the cooking gas and the firewood has reduced the cost with $30, it is efficient and effective and environmental friendly. We are covered both sides, that is, if the cooking gas is missing we can use the firewood, if the firewood is unavailable we can use cooking gas.
MEDICAL
Some of the children were prone to different kind of sickness due to the kind of life style they were living before we took them in. This contributed to a higher medical usage in the previous 3 trimesters. We were paying some fixed amount to a medical facility, which were treating them almost daily. In the last trimester the medical fee had gone down by at least 73%. This was contributed by good environment, loving people surrounding them, good and nutritious food and not forgetting the spiritual side that gives them hope for the future.
PRESSING NEEDS
We need some vitamins, clothes, shoes, learning materials (stationeries) for the children.
Pastor Kennedy and I are very grateful for the great support both spiritually and materially we have been getting from you. May God richly bless you.
Grace Shiku.
