TRAGIC NEWS: Mitumba Slum has Been Completely Destroyed
November 20, 2011
Our hearts are heavy today as we have just learned that the Kenya Government in cooperation with the Kenyan Airport Authority have completely demolished Mitumba Slum near Wilson Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Mitumba is the home of all GOYA operations in Kenya. It was the location of our primary school that was serving 450 children, church with a regular attendance of 150, orphanage that was home to 32 children and approximately 30,000 slum dwellers that we served daily. All of which were lost in yesterday's demolition. Our school will continue to operate at least through the end of the current trimester and we're currently working to secure a new location nearby for classes to meet. The orphaned children were taken to Pastor Shadrack's home where he and his wife Violet will care for them. We are currently working hard to find a more permanent location for our orphans.
GOYA will continue to send support and aid, including a cargo container with 36,000lbs of food that is currently en route to Kenya. We will also push forward with plans to send the December/January Medical Team. That team will treat the children in the school along with families that still remain on the open lot that was Mitumba Slum. However, we are canceling the April Women's Conference Team, the June Leadership team, and the August Bible Camp teams until further notice.
ALL new donations will be sent immediately to sustain the temporary school and to care for our orphans. Meanwhile, the GOYA and REM Boards of Directors will continue working through plans of renewal. This may be the end of Mitumba Slum, but it is not the end of God's work in Kenya. We are asking supporters to fast and pray as we seek God's plans for the future.
Here is a video of the destruction from NTV News in Nairobi:
Clean Water and Sanitation
Clean water and proper sanitation are crucial for healthy living, especially in developing countries. A recent article by the Associated Press explains more. More...
Income Generating Programs
GOYA is currently developing programs that enable residents of Mitumba to use the skills they already have in order to generate an income and become self sufficient. More...
Upcoming Trip Dates
Illinois State University Medical Trip January 2012
