Our mission is to provide a safe, loving environment where every child can thrive physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Blessed Generation Children’s Centers (BGCC) was founded 30 ago years, 1984, in Ruiru, Kenya by Californian preacher, Dick West. Originally heading to Kenya to work in developmental aid, Dick found himself in the care of seven orphans who had lost their mother during the bir
th of her eight child. In 2001, Dick West passed over the responsibilities for the orphanage and the school to the Dutch teacher, Ria Fennema. In 2005, Ria and her husband, Fester Medendorp, started a second orphanage, Blessed Generation in Malindi, on the east coast of Kenya.. A short while after Christmas 2007, political riots erupted due to civil unrest from election results and Kenya was swept by great violence as opposing tribes clashed. The youngest victims were the children who in the chaos lost their families and were often subjected to the horrors of witnessing their parents and siblings murders. In the aftermath BGCC was asked by the Red Cross and other charities in the area to help take care of the orphaned children. It was after this terrible time that Ria and Fester began the third orphanage in West Kenya, Blessed Generation Nyarima. Blessed Generation now comprises of 3 orphanages across Kenya with locations in Malindi, Nyamira & Ruiru. Every child under the care of BGCC is offered the chance to build his/her own future by way of an education that will in turn allow him/her to become self-supporting citizens who can contribute to back to their country & society. All three BGCC orphanages have their own primary schools with the ability to accommodate up to 100 children. Once a child has completed primary school studies, they are afforded the opportunity to move on to secondary school, from which the top students have the chance to continue their education by enrolling in a local college or attending University. BGCC is delighted to report that many of their children have gone on to high education and that our alumni hold good jobs and continue the charities good works by sponsoring children currently at the centers. The children are brought up in the traditions of Kenya learning both Swahili and English. Regular services in the church are part of the weekly routine of BGCC. This offers the children important support and and a loving perspective that is so much needed in a country stifled by poverty, crime and conflict. It is BGCC’s unending pledge to offer and encourage every child to reach or and exceed their full potential. In 2006 Blessed Generation set up a technical school at the center in Malindi. The children have and continue to be educated in agriculture, farming, raising cattle, medical cure and tourism business. In the first year all 40 participants found jobs locally in their areas of study. Outreach Program
In addition to the Orphanages, BGCC offers an Outreach Program through which children who have not lost their parents, but are in need of the opportunities afforded by the centers are welcomed to learn and grow. Many of these children reside with parents who are suffering from HIV or other illnesses; or their parents are unable to work, which means there is little income for food and none for medication. To help these children BGCC works to empower the parents or caretakers. What BGCC Outreach does:
1) Visits program participants & stays apprised of each situation.
2) Bi-weekly parcel deliveries of food and sanitary items to all participants.
3) Monitors the medical condition and assists with medical costs; including HIV testing and medication.
4) If the adult in the family is strong enough for employment after treatment, he/she is offered placement at the Technical school at Blessed Generation, where they can learn a practical skill. These skills will afford them the opportunity to enter the job market. The courses currently offered include fishing, agriculture and sewing.
5) There are many participants in Outreach who want to start their own companies. For these individuals Blessed Generation offer’s an entrepreneurial course. Blessed Generation provides advice on starting a small business, training in HIV awareness, nutrition & food preparation, as well as daily budgeting.
6) When a prospective candidate starts a small business they are provided with a micro-loan of up to 100 Euros / $137 USD. This is an interest free loan, with no time constraints. When the candidate is able to pay back the loan, they will be given the opportunity to borrow a larger amount and expand their business further. Who can take part in this program? Parents and guardians of children enrolled in BGCC. These individuals are in their current situations because of medical complications caused by HIV, and or poverty/unemployment. In the outreach program there are constantly 50 families. After enrollment into the Outreach program, it depends on each family & circumstance how long assistance will provided. The assistance program usually takes between 6 and 18 months. As soon as someone has completed the program and can successfully stand on his / her own feet then a new family is taken into the program. Therefore the Outreach program is always operating at full capacity. If you are willing and able, a donation of any amount will make an enormous difference in the lives of these children. A dollar goes a very long way in Kenya. All donations will go towards the objectives set forth by BGCC. Join us in sharing your � and a little of your wealth with these children.
100% of your donation will go directly to the BGCC Orphanages & Outreach Program.Blessed Generation Children’s Center, Charitable NGO officially registered by the Kenyan government. or contact at [email protected]
In June 2012, Louisa Bir & her eight year son Kai visited the Children's Center in Malindi....forever changed by their experience and time with the children; Louisa & Kai hope to bring awareness to US, UK & Europe for the children's plight. Please contact Louisa Bir for any information on how to volunteer, sponsor a child or donate.
