Nairobi, Kenya, June 29, 2021
by H. David Sauls
Through God’s blessing, some months ago, a donor sent a generous donation that provided Fr. Antipas Odhiambo an opportunity to make a bold and helpful step for the children and needy poor of the Ngando School and Community Centre that he operates in Nairobi.
Last fall, OrthoChristian featured an article on Fr. Antipas of Nairobi and the unexpected destruction of his school and the Dagoretti sub-slum neighborhood by the Kenya Railway Company. They were eventually able to find a space in neighboring Ngando, in the southwest of Nairobi, though the community continues to struggle, especially with the ongoing pandemic.
After deliberating and praying over the best use of the donated funds, and assessing the situation in Nairobi and their future there, and having obtained status as a community-based organization, Fr. Antipas embarked on a long, thought-out plan to purchase a piece of property and develop it into a school, refuge, and eventually, a parish. Through the help of his own father, Mzee Shadrack, a four-acre tract of land was located in Siaya County, in western Kenya.
The land is fertile and already supports a corn crop. It is extremely suitable for development, and like other Orthodox charitable organizations operating in Kenya, Father hopes to help expand the growing Orthodox presence and the offering of our faith in the ministry of Christ by helping the needy and vulnerable.
Fr. Antipas hopes to obtain support to develop the property. It will need to be fenced, and a well will need to be dug in order to begin the process of building temporary structures until enough support is gained to build permanent buildings, and eventually, a church.
Please consider supporting Fr. Antipas spread the Orthodox faith in Kenya as he ministers to needy and vulnerable women and children, hoping to offer them a safer, more pastoral setting in which to learn and grown in the faith.
Links for donors:
https://givesendgo.com/GXNG?fbclid=IwAR0mRhlL1En2HhRMB9urPSdAyMd18oF5jYRPgGhJa7Cv9BZrNt3X-Nf54wI
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