Page 19 - February 2013 Spire
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Foundations for the Future Mission Grant
Nambale Magnet School, Kenya
T
he latest recipient of the
Foundations of the Future
Mission Grant is the Nambale Magnet School, the
flagship initiative of WIKS (“Women’s Initiative for Knowl-
edge and Survival”), a Kenyan NGO established in 2003
by the Reverend Evalyn Wakhusama. Evalyn, a native
Kenyan and ordained Anglican minister, embarked upon
a transformative journey in 1999, when she was accepted
into the graduate program at Yale Divinity School in New
Haven, Connecticut.
Leaving her four young children in the charge of her vet-
erinarian husband, Sam, Rev. Wakhusama traveled to the
United States to begin a Master of Divinity and Masters
of Sacred Music Program at Yale. She applied herself in
earnest to her studies, in the faithful belief that the knowl-
edge she acquired through her academic experiences
could be applied to her ministries in her Kenyan home-
land. While in Connecticut, she engaged in a number
of ministries, including an early-morning Bible Study at
Noroton Presybyterian Church from 1999 – 2002. It was
there that she established many lifetime friendships, and
has kept in close touch with many of the parishioners,
following her return to Kenya after completing her studies
at Yale.
Soon after returning to Kenya, Evalyn conceived the idea
of a school for children orphaned or otherwise rendered
vulnerable because of the AIDS/HIV pandemic afflict-
ing much of East Africa. Focusing on her home village
of Nambale, a tiny agrarian backwater a few kilometers
from the Ugandan border, Evalyn developed a concept of
providing a safe, nurturing residential environment where
orphans and other destitute children could access a qual-
ity education, enabling them to breach the cycle of pov-
erty and hopelessness that is painfully widespread in this
region of Kenya.
Through her many relationships with her American
friends, Evalyn was able to raise sufficient funds (including
the seed money for acquiring the seven-acre parcel on
which the school was eventually constructed, largely fund-
ed by NPC) to build the Nambale Magnet School, which
opened its doors in January of 2009 for its first “pioneer”
class of 32 incoming students. Since then, the School has
added a grade of students each year. As it began its fifth
year of operations this month, it now boasts a student
body in excess of 225 students, ranging from pre-nursery
class to fifth grade.
Mission Ministry
T
hank you to all who are
active in Mission Ministry and
to those who took the time to
explore the Mission videos and
website and find out more about
our Mission partners during the
January Mission Focus Month. If
you feel called to get involved in any way
please do get in touch! As always there are opportunities
to serve locally with the Open Door Shelter, Inspirica
Women’s Emergency Shelter, Carver Center, Young
Life, Pivot, InterVarsity and by taking part in our prayer
ministry. If you are interested in joining a Mission trip this
year to New Jersey, West Virginia or Africa please check
the NPC website or pick up a leaflet with information and
signup!
Below you can read more about the latest
Foundations
for the Future
Mission Grant award to Nambale Magnet
School, in an article written by Tom Sansome, President
of the WIKS-USA board. Evalyn Wakhusama, Founder
of the school, is so thankful for the grant and the ongoing
support of NPC in helping to love and serve the people
of Nambale through the ministry of the Nambale Magnet
School. Evalyn was able to attend our latest Women’s
Retreat and also spoke at the Open Doors Service,
bringing us the latest news from Nambale, and further
deepening our strong relationship with her and the school.
If you are interested in visiting Nambale this summer
there is an NPC trip going there in July 2013. Please see
more information on the NPC Website or contact Stella
Clarke
.
In Christ’s Service,
Stella Clarke
Mission Associate
Mission Ministry News
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