Photo of the Day
January 23, 2012 by editor
A nice photo from Micah Albert taken in South Sudan, in honor of National Handwriting Day.
Celebrate and Help Mothers in Kenya
This May 13th is Mother’s Day and a special time to share with her your care and appreciation. We would like to provide an opportunity that will not only encourage your mom but will also help a needy mother in Africa receive the skills and encouragement that she needs to be able to provide for [...]
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Spring Cultivate is Here
Our spring Cultivate Magazine is here! Check out all the great stories here. Share This
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Past Success, Future Hope
Has this ever happened to you? That moment when you pass someone or someplace and a flood of memories surfaces like a submarine bursting through the ocean ceiling. That happened to me recently as I was driving near Mwanza, Tanzania and felt compelled to pass by a village where I lived 16 years ago. During [...]
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Off to High School
It is with much joy that we celebrated our third group of first year students in our Ilula Children’s Home who are off to high school. Before they left for school, the 13 children had a meeting with the Directors of the Ilula Children’s Home (Laban and Angelina, AKA “Babu” Grandfather and “Gogo” Grandmother) and [...]
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Photo of the Day
Load carriers outside of Bukavu, South Kivu, DR Congo. (photo: Micah Albert) Learn more about these woman in an upcoming documentary film, “Heavy Loads” – Eliane Beeson Share This
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Three New Children At The Ilula Children’s Home
Many of you may remember the Launch House article in the Spring 2011 Cultivate magazine, which told of a new house being built for the high school boys to come home to on holidays. The project was primarily undertaken to provide enough space to accept new children into the Ilula family. It was decided that [...]
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Illegal Brewing in Kenya
Last year, in a controversial presidential decision, Kenya signed into law a bill that legalizes the traditional home-brewed spirit called changaa. Changaa, translated literally means “kill me now”, and according to studies, kills more than 100 people annually in Kenya. But changaa is less of a problem of physical health than it is social, mental, [...]
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Home :: BLOGFrom Learning to Life Saving!
January 20, 2012 by Cathy
Brenda and Jenn look on as students use their wood stretcher during the seminar.
In January this year, several people from the greater Kipkaren area were trained in CPR and First Aid by Jenn and Brenda, members of the Salem Team. Among those receiving training were the 32 Sustainable Agriculture and Community Development Programme students.
One week after the Salem team left , there was an emergency at the training center. One of the students collapsed and fainted. The SACDP students quickly made a wood stretcher, using the techniques they were taught in the First Aid seminar. Due to their calmness and quick thinking they were able to carry the student to clinic where she received good treatment. Thank you Salem Team for sharing such practical knowledge with our community!
Women’s Conference in Kipkaren
January 13, 2012 by Cathy
January 9th to 13th nearly seventy women gathered for a women’s conference hosted by ladies on the Salem Team. The theme of the conference was from JOSHUA 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
The women learned that we are all the same in the eyes of God. According to the teaching of our sisters Vickie, Trish, and Tanya we learned that we need to “be strong and courageous” in all of life’s situations. We are in great need of having such meetings because it helps to bring women from different denominations, backgrounds, tribes and cultures together to praise and worship together as children of one Almighty God. The Salem women also taught us that when women learn, their families will not remain the same. We are thankful for the opportunity to attend this conference!
By Dorcas Rutto, ELI hostess at the Kipkaren Training Center
Baking In The Garden
January 10, 2012 by Holly
The Ukweli Training Center in Ilula, Kenya has agreed to partner with the AIC Missionary College to provide a three-month training program to their missionary students. The course will instruct the students in areas of agriculture, personal hygiene and in the culinary arts. The hope is to empower these students with the necessary skills and knowledge to survive in hardship areas of the world.
This week, the students learned how to build a wood-burning oven, using bricks, mud and a steel drum, which was built in the Training Center’s demonstration garden. Later in the week when the mud had dried, Mrs. Mary Chepsat, a trained chef and one of the mothers at the Ilula Children’s Home, taught the students how to make bread and to properly bake it in the homemade oven. In about fifteen minutes, the bread was done to perfection. The day ended with a warm slice of bread, a true testament to the students’ hard work.
Photo of the Day
January 6, 2012 by Don
Our Communications Director, Micah Albert in the Kerio Valley in Kenya, terribly missing the target with a traditional bow and arrow. (Photo: Don Rogers)
Photo of the Day
January 5, 2012 by Micah
Cathy Lessig gives the devotion in the Kipkaren Children’s Home. (Photo: Micah Albert)
Photo of the Day
January 4, 2012 by Micah
Recovered with the help of ELI’s AA program, this family in Kenya now makes bricks instead of alcohol. Learn more about ELI’s AA program. (Photo: Micah Albert)
Photo of the Day
December 30, 2011 by Micah
Students at the ELI school in Bukavu, DR Congo. (Photo: Micah Albert)
Guardians’ Day at the Ilula Children’s Home
December 21, 2011 by Holly
Guardians’ Day is an annual event at the Ilula Children’s Home and greatly anticipated by the children, for it is on this day that they get to see their extended families. Grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins travel great distances to come and visit our children. In years past, it was only a one-day event. Now, since the children are older, they get to return home with their families for a two-week Christmas visit.
The time spent with the families is essential, as it gives the children the opportunity to begin building relationships with the various family members and to know and understand the place from which they come. Additionally, it allows the children to secure any inheritance left to them by their deceased parents. In Kenya, children will lose their rights to the land if they do not stay in contact with the extended family. More than anything, we want ensure that these children have a support system in place when they leave the Children’s Home.
For the Ilula parents and staff here at Empowering Lives International, Guardians’ Day is bitter sweet. While joy filled our hearts to see the children embraced by their loved ones, tears filled our eyes as we watched them leave. The Children’s Home is now quiet and seems a different place. We are anxious to see our children again and to hear all their Christmas stories. Until then, please pray for their protection during these two weeks, that God may bring them back safely and with smiles on their beautiful little faces.
- By Jonah Chepsat
From The Field
May 8th, 2012
April 16th, 2012
February 7th, 2012
February 6th, 2012
January 9th, 2012
January 9th, 2012
October 18th, 2011
