More than 40 people attended the first informational session for the KidsHeart Africa trip last Wednesday night.
Here is an overview of what is known at this point:
Q. What is KidsHeart Africa?
This is a new initiative between Buckner Orphan Care International and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. The goal is to impact the AIDS crisis on the African continent by working with children.
Wilshire has made a commitment of at least three years to this project. We will be the first congregational partnership in KidsHeart Africa, working to build a Child Development Center with satellite centers from it.
Q. What will that Child Development Center do?
This will be the hub of an expansive ministry that includes medical education, spiritual nurture, general education and social services. It will be a day-use facility staffed by Kenyan Christians.
Q. Why not build more orphanages in Kenya, or why not try to work with adults?
The AIDS crisis is so great in Africa, and especially in Kenya, that the country’s religious leaders have determined the only hope is to save the children and help them break the cycle of disease.
Many AIDS orphans in Kenya have some place to sleep at night, usually with extended family. What they do not have is a place to go in the daytime, a place for education and nurture.
Q. Where in Kenya will Wilshire work?
Our assignment is to help create a Child Development Center in the town of Busia, which is located in western Kenya, near the border with Uganda.
Q. Why there?
The Kenyan staff of Buckner Orphan Care International has identified this as a priority location for new work with AIDS orphans. About one in five adults in this region of Kenya is infected with HIV.
Q. What will Wilshire volunteers do in Kenya?
Since Wilshire is the first congregation to participate in KidsHeart Africa, the agenda is somewhat flexible. We will be helping to establish a pattern for others.
Over the course of the multi-year partnership, we will work in construction, child care, medical education and treatment and related fields. A primary part of the trip will be relationship-building, offering a warm embrace to children, delivering humanitarian aid and laying the groundwork for establishment of the Child Development Center.
Q. Who is leading this trip?
All in-country arrangements are being made by the Buckner staff, which has experience working with many churches in international mission trips.
On the Wilshire end, Associate Pastor Mark Wingfield is coordinating advance logistics, with help from other staff members. Minister to Preschoolers Laurie Taylor will travel to Busia, Kenya, in May with an advance team from Buckner. Senior Pastor George Mason intends to be a key leader on this summer’s team, along with the church’s minister of missions, who should be employed before the trip.
Q. What are the dates?
The group will depart Dallas on Wednesday, July 26, and return on Saturday, Aug. 5.
Q. What lodging will be available?
All lodging will be in local hotels suitable for tourist groups.
Q. What is the cost?
The land portion of the trip is set at $1,700. The airfare portion can only be estimated at this point, but will be about $1,900. That would bring the trip total to $3,600, which includes all transportation, lodging, meals and a safari.
Q. If I have frequent flier miles with an airline, can I use those to offset the cost?
Yes, the Buckner staff will work with you to make travel arrangements using frequent flier miles.
Q. Is any assistance available to reduce the cost of participating?
Yes, the Missions Committee has established a Volunteers in Missions fund that will be used to provide financial assistance for this trip. The church has placed a priority on enabling and encouraging lay involvement in mission projects such as this. A determination of how these funds will be allocated will be made by the Missions Committee once we know how many people plan to go to Africa.
Q. What size group will be going?
Our goal is to have 20 participants. If significantly more than that want to go, we may be able to create two travel groups.
Q. May children go?
The minimum age for this trip is 12, and the preference is for participants to be 14 or older. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Q. Is it safe to travel in this region?
All international travel carries some risks. However, this is not a region of volatility for international travel.
Q. What language is spoken in Kenya?
English and Kiswahili.
Q. When is the deadline to sign up?
A non-refundable deposit of $250 is due by Feb. 15. That is the deadline for commitment.
Q. Where can I learn more?
Visit the KidsHeart Africa section of Wilshire’s website (wilshirebc.org), or
Buckner's website. For statistical information on Kenya,
click here .
| Travel Itinerary |
|
| Wednesday, July 26 |
Depart from Dallas |
| Thursday, July 27 |
Arrive Nairobi, Kenya
Dinner and night at Holiday Inn |
| Friday, July 28 |
Fly to Busia and begin ministry |
| Wednesday, Aug. 2 |
Fly to Masai Mara late afternoon |
| Thursday, Aug. 3 |
Morning and afternoon safari |
| Friday, Aug. 4 |
Return to Nairobi
Lunch & shopping at Masaai Mara Market
Depart Nairobi late evening |
| Saturday, Aug. 5 |
Arrive in Dallas |
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