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. More information is at www.friendsofkisima.org or on Facebook at Friends of Kisima Academy. Gerda Fink
Kisima Academy
Kisima has had misfortunes before : droughts, equipment failures, etc. With the grace of God they’ve always pulled through and managed to feed, care for, and educate all the children. In the last few days they’ve had two real disasters. The girls’ dorm had a fire where everything in the dorm was lost. The last I heard investigators were on the scene to determine the cause. Cleaning the building and replacing
everything ( beds and bedding, clothing and shoes, schoolbooks and personal belongings ) will take time and funds. We are eternally grateful to some friends who stepped up immediately and offered to cover the costs. They were the ones who donated the funds for the dorms and the dining hall in the first place.
The other event was the loss of one of the orphans. Victor was one of the original orphans whom Martin and Margaret took in in 2006 when he was four years old. He earned a diploma in electrical engineering in 2022. Although he was unable to find a job in his field due to the very high unemployment in Kenya he persevered in creating a future by starting a business. He was doing well until the violence in Nairobi a couple of weeks ago destroyed everything he had worked for. Last week Victor was killed instantly in a head-on crash when the other driver crossed the center line. Marsh and Linda Gruening began sponsoring him in 2012 and became very close to him. They considered him one of their children. They sent him frequent cards and emails and Victor responded with beautiful letters. They will miss him terribly but can take comfort in knowing that they were a real blessing to him. His life was immeasurably richer for having their love and support.
Gerda Fink, COS Kisima Committee Chair-person, www.friendsofkisima.org, on Facebook at Friends of Kisima Academy.