Friends,
Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ!
International Apostolic Churches Inc. (IACI), also known as International Apostolic Church, is a family of believers who pray, cry, laugh, study, and worship together. We gather at the IACI building in Migori County, Kenya, and on Zoom with Center Fellowship of Christ Ministries USA-Africa (CFOCM USA-Africa) to thank Jesus for saving us and for all the good work the Lord is doing through His people.
We give thanks and praise to the Lord for Good Shepherd Haven of Hope Children’s Home (GSHOH), which provides hope for the hopeless and vulnerable children in Migori County who now have a home at GSHOH. GSHOH is a place many children long to live, but due to limited funds and lack of space, we are only able to house a small number of children at this time. GSHOH is a CFOCM USA-Africa humanitarian program managed by IACI, an affiliate of CFOCM USA-Africa.
At GSHOH, we care for children with diverse needs, all of whom come from heartbreaking circumstances. These children were found in desperate situations at a young age and were brought into the home to help shape their future for a brighter Kenya. Through sponsorship, they receive food, clothing, shelter, and education.
In 2010, my wife, Sophia Bwari Gwako, and I began caring for these children by providing them with the basic necessities of life. Witnessing the immense challenges faced by these families and children touched us deeply and filled us with a spirit of compassion. Many of these children lost their parents during the 2007-2008 tribal crisis and civil wars between ethnic groups. Some were abandoned in forests or thrown into pits to die, as people lost hope for their families during the conflict. These children were left with no answers for their future, living in anguish and despair.
Others lost their parents to AIDS, HIV, and other diseases, leaving them to fend for themselves on the streets. They suffered from hunger, wearing torn clothes and scavenging for food in garbage containers. Many became malnourished, contracting diseases like kwashiorkor and suffering from intestinal worms. The scarcity of food made life unbearable, forcing some children to beg for shelter or labor in exchange for a meal.
The challenges were particularly dire for young girls, many of whom became victims of rape. Some were tricked by small amounts of food or money and exposed to exploitation and prostitution. One heartbreaking story involves a young girl whose mother passed away in 2009. She was later taken as a "wife" by her stepfather, who infected her with HIV/AIDS. Such stories of suffering moved us to take action, rescuing these children from exploitation and abuse.
This is why we established Kal Boora Educational and Self-Help Group, now known as Good Shepherd Haven of Hope Children’s Home. It is officially recognized as a Community-Based Organization (CBO) by the government of Kenya.
We are deeply grateful to the Lord for His guidance and provision as we strive to give these children a second chance at life. Thank you for your prayers, support, and partnership in this mission.
Your support can make a difference!
We invite you to join us in this vital work by contributing to Good Shepherd Haven of Hope. Your donation, no matter the amount, helps provide food, clothing, shelter, education, and hope to these children. Together, we can give them the opportunity to overcome their difficult pasts and build a brighter future.
We’ve partnered with GiveButter, a secure and user-friendly platform, to make donating easy. Visit our campaign page at https://givebutter.com/goodshepherdhavenofhope to learn more and make your contribution today.
Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this ministry of compassion.
Yours in Christ,
Thomas A. Gwako
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Good Shepherd Haven of Hope
Founder & Senior Pastor, International Apostolic Churches, Inc.