News Archive 2013

Last year an OFA-International team visited Kenya and Uganda. One of the orphans at YPPCC (151 children and youth) in Kenya is James Owino. He is both autistic and suffers from epileptic seizures. James was in a special needs school but the school could not care for him because he is continuously falling down and injuring himself. Our team met him in person last year in the countryside and prayed for him. James lives with his grandmother. The roof leaks and during rainy season it is hard to find a way to stay dry. OFA-USA provided funds to have the roof repaired and God stretched that gift to continue construction throughout the months of May and June. An additional room is being built for James as well. James has a sponsor and this month funds will be sent for a new bed, mattress and sheets for him.

For two days this August, an outreach was hosted by Pastor John and the committee members of Christian Outreach for Community Empowerment and Development, (COCED). Each child was provided with food (flour and fish), supplies and a Gospel of John. Unfortunately, ten of the children at COCED currently have jiggers (chigoe fleas) - a parasite that burrows into the feet causing intense irritation and blistering. Judith of Young People of Purpose Community Center in Eastern Kenya, will provide a medical clinic for the children when she is able to travel to Western Kenya.

Judith of Young People of Purpose Community Center (YPPCC), travelled to the countryside in late August. After visiting with the preschooler children in Bondo, Judith held a medical camp that was set up to eradicate the jigger infestation in many of the children. Jiggers, also known as chigoe fleas, are the smallest known fleas. The females burrow into exposed skin of the feet and swell dramatically as their eggs develop, causing intense irritation. Amazingly, 460 children received shoes and 215 children were cleaned and treated. OFA paid for the donated shoes to be transported from Nairobi to the countryside.

This fall our 800 children and youth across the continent have all been returning to school. OFA-International has been providing funding to all of our partners for school fees, uniforms, books and supplies. Additionally, an endowment fund has been set up through OFA-USA to support the education programme. This is a photo of the sixth grade class in the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Centre Elembo.

One of our youths in Kenya, Nancy, experienced a tragic accident one year ago. As a result of the accident Nancy's leg was partially amputated. We have been praying for a prosthetic leg for Nancy and God has performed yet another miracle. OFA-USA is working in partnership with a nonprofit to bring Nancy to the USA in the spring of 2014 for one month to construct a prosthetic leg and train her in the use of her new limb. The medical treatment will be provided by Kevin Carroll, Vice President of Prosthetics for Hanger Clinic, Hanger, Inc. It is one of the world's premier providers of orthostic and prosthetic patient care services. Mr. Carroll is one of the most renowned prosthetists in the world. Approximately $20,000-$30,000 of medical care will be provided at no cost.