Orphanage Mission
During my stay in Nairobi, I was introduced to Iren Bawmgartner, Director of the Nest, an orphanage and half-way house for infants. The Nest is currently home to 18 infants. Obviously, the ultimate goal for the orphanage is to find a home for each child. If a home is not found for a particular baby, the little one is reised at the orphanage until the age of 18. Irene gave me a tour of the facility giving me a chance to meet each precious baby. I happened to be there during on of many feeding times and was able to witness first hand what a crucial role volumteers can play just to help hold the babies. My own granddaughter Maddie, my daughter Melonee, a few of Melonee's friends, and I were all happy to help feed the babies and Melonee and Maddie continue to go weekly to deliver formula and cereal and to volunteer. Just spending a few afternoons there during my visit to Nairobi was enough for me to see how easy it is to get attached to those beautiful babies and it is very apparent how attached Irene and her staff are to these little ones. But, just like raising any child, the need for formula, sleepers, rubber pants and medical funds are pressing and having 18 infants, many malnourished and on the verge of death upon arrival, at any one time means that the need is that much more acute. So I wrote to Irene just before Christmas letting her know of CINI's desire to partner with the orphanage to help the children thrive. The Nest responded:
"What a great Christmas gift to the Nest! We got 5 new babies just before Christmas (see http://www.thenesthome.com/ for a photo) and it turned out that we had to take two of them to the hospital right away. We really appreciate your support and help to take care of the bills. In fact, medical bills are one of our biggest needs as the children don't have medical coverage and we often get them in bad health."
The picture of the five babies on the above website shows the children wearing the new sleepers provided for the children by CINI. Aren't the just beautiful in their sleepers! Click here to view photos.
If you would like to sponsor a child or donate to this mission, please go to our Giving Page. Below you will find a link to more information about each child. Please continue to check back for regular updates regarding the progress of the mission and more specific dates.
Call Now to Donate: 1-888-680-(CINI) 2464 or Click Here to Make an Online Donation.