For people who send Kisima Academy donations directly to FTKI, the address has changed. It is now: FTKI, 6614 Van Winkle Dr., Falls Church, VA 22044.

Kisima Academy, a mission of COS, is a Christian orphanage and school in rural western Kenya.

Kisima Academy has indeed been blessed from the beginning when Martin and Margaret started by taking in 83 orphans pre-K to Grade 2. Now those Grade 2 orphans plus others who have joined along the way are starting universities and polytechnics. From those 83 orphans we are now supporting 129 orphans at Kisima in boarding high schools and in colleges. Additionally, 200 impoverished community students are educated and given scholarships to attend local high schools when they graduate. Three mud classrooms and children sleeping four to a blanket on dirt floors have expanded to many brick buildings: eleven classrooms, boys’ and girls’ dorms, a dining hall, and a nearly completed computer classroom/library. Four years ago the electrical grid did not extend to their rural area; now they have electricity and a recently installed satellite internet connection. Kisima is not in the COS budget but COS members have been faithful and generous supporters. Twenty children and three teachers are sponsored by COS members. Many, many thanks to them and to other donors!

A greenhouse was recently constructed. Very little can grow without irrigation during the hot, dry season of December to February. Some plants, like tomatoes, can’t survive at all. The sixth graders planted tomatoes in the greenhouse where they can be watered and protected from the direct sun. Excess tomatoes will be sold to generate income.

The badly deteriorated mud classrooms finally were demolished to make way for the computer classroom/library. Computer access will deliver the students firmly into the 21st century.

Gerda Fink, COS Kisima Committee Chair-person, www.friendsofkisima.org, on Facebook at Friends of Kisima Academy.