Progress Over past 3 Years
International Widows and Orphans Fund (IWOF) has been involved with Grace Orphanage for just over 3 years. Thanks to the support of generous donors over this time, we have seen much progress in areas of education, clean water, beds to sleep in, better nutrition and transportation to school. We have also seen an impact on the community around the orphanage as they shared from the container that was sent in June 2014 – clothing, food supplies, medical supplies, hand tools and more.
The children are currently housed in a rental house in Kilomoni. Every 6 months when the rent is paid, there is much tension as the landlord may find a higher offer and decide not to renew the contract. The challenge is – what to do with 35 children if the landlord changes his mind?
A Permanent, Sustainable Home
Our dream is to purchase land (around 2 acres) and construct a main building with kitchen/dining room, six small houses (600 sq.ft.) that each will be home to 8 children and host parents. They will have a vegetable garden, chicken coops and pig pens to not only produce food for the orphanage, but also sufficient to sell and help support living expenses. Our dream is to use technology: solar and wind energy to provide access to clean water, light at night for longer study hours, a better cooking facility without the use of charcoal and resulting pollution, improved husbandry for pigs and chickens, and more. Our aim is to have a fully self-supported facility in 7 years that can house up to 60 orphans and 14 staff.
 A Permanent Home |
 House layout for 8 kids |
Funds Raised to Date
Through several fund raising initiatives, we have raised US$36,000 which is earmarked for the first phase of the land purchase. The total purchase price will be US$69,000 for 2.5 acres of flat, usable, fertile land, including a small pond for rearing fish like Tilapia. The seller is willing to sell us the land in phases. We are ready to make the first payment and acquire full access to the land, with the next payment of US$20,000 due in 12 months. This will allow us to move the pig farming project that is currently operated on rented land to the new property, thus saving the rent cost that they pay now. The next step will be fencing, so that we can start larger scale vegetable growing, and then start planning for buildings, solar system for electricity and fresh water access for a sustainable home for Grace Orphanage.
Budget
The overall construction budget is set at US$250,000 to be completed in small stages. Please consider partnering with us as we build a self-sufficient model that can be replicated in other areas, where caregivers can provide a loving, caring environment for orphans to develop into their full potential. Please Donate to help provide a permanent home to the current 35 orphans at Grace Orphanage.