True religion

is caring for the

widows and the

orphans. James 1:27

Since 2002, Tyndale Christian School has provided the opportunity for many students, staff and parents to travel to Kenya on mission/community service trips to support two Homes set up to care for orphaned, HIV+ and abandoned children. These Homes are; Testimony Faith Homes and Neema Homes, both located in Eldoret, Western Kenya.

Why Do Mission Trips?

Tyndale believes that our faith as Christians must be out-worked in action. Mission/community service trips are one way students can demonstrate practical love and compassion to those around them. “In Matthew 22, Jesus speaks about the greatest commandment being to love God and then to love each other.” (Verse37-39). It is also important for students to have an understanding of the impact of extreme poverty and the disparity between the lives they enjoy here in Australia and the quality of life that millions around the world face every day. We are global citizens and we have a responsibility to tackle the issue of poverty wherever and whenever we can.

How Do Students Benefit?

Our students are challenged about their own circumstances when compared to those living is some overseas countries. They gain a greater appreciation for other cultures and ethnic backgrounds. A mission trip also gives them an opportunity to be involved in something that gives them a tangible way of making a difference to the lives of others.

Mike Potter Head of Schools

A Word from Mike Potter

Eldoret, Kenya

Testimony Faith Homes was established in 1969 by John and Esther Green in response to the growing numbers of abandoned children in Kenya. The Home has been responsible for the care and nurture of over 400 orphans through the continued ministry of John and Esther’s unconditional love for their “extended family”.

Testimony takes in boys and girls aged 0 – 10 years who are orphaned or whose extended families are unable to provide a home for them. Children stay between 20 and 25 years, leaving only when they are able to find employment and live independently. Testimony Faith Homes consists of 4 Homes, each with house parents who take on the role of mothers and fathers, caring for 30 to 40 children at a time. The Home has established a school within their facilities, providing education for their children and the local community.

Testimony Faith Homes

...through the continued ministry

of John and Esther’s unconditional love for

their “extended family”.

Projects at Testimony Faith Homes that Tyndale Christian School Teams have completed since 2002

Each year the visiting Tyndale team spends time at Testimony Faith Homes interacting and becoming friends with the family members of each house. Their activities can include:

• Playing and socialising with children after school and on weekends

• Leading church, youth and Sunday school

• Face painting• Helping with chores and homework• Sharing meals together

Financial contributions are made towards funding major capital works and the costs of daily expenses. In the past this has included:

• Construction of Tyndale Cottage in 2006 which provided a permanent home for 36 children and their house parents

• Providing an industrial mixer and slicer for the onsite bakery which currently provides the Homes and school with 200 loaves per day

• Construction and renovation of numerous structures

• Purchasing fridges, freezers, washing machines, school equipment and uniforms

• Contributions towards the food, school and medical costs of caring for the children

The team spends two weeks completing practical work which in the past has included projects such as:

• Constructing a disabled bathroom facility in one of the Homes

• Setting up a medical dispensary for Testimony School

• Building and setting up a poultry project• Building a large retaining wall and

storm water drains• Constructing backyard verandas to

provide extra shelter for cooking and laundry

• Renovating rooms in the houses by repainting and laying new flooring

• Creating a playground with swings, stepping stones, hopscotch and monkey bars

• Constructing a dairy

• Fencing the boundaries of the property for better security

• Teaching in classrooms and making teaching resources

The team also takes over donated items from the Tyndale community with a focus each year on targeted items. These items have included:

• Laptops• Clothing• Bath towels• School stationery• Toys, children’s games and books• Medical supplies

Partnering with Another’s Vision

Eldoret, Kenya

Established in 2005 by Miriam and Joshua Mbithi, Neema Children’s Home was formed to care for children infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. For many years the Mbithi’s were house parents at Testimony Faith Homes and felt a call to set up a Home specifically caring for those dealing with the traumas of HIV/AIDS. Neema is currently working on the establishment of a multi-purpose medical clinic. The aim of this project is to support the health and wellbeing of children living at Neema whilst also providing a service to the wider local community offering a specialised focus on clients with HIV/AIDS. Neema has established a school within their facilities, providing education for their children and the local community.

Neema Children’s Home

...specifically caring for those dealing with the traumas of HIV/AIDS.

Projects of Neema Children’s Home that Tyndale Christian School Teams have completed since 2006

• Financial support towards food, clothing, education and medical care

• Maintenance and painting of the Home, internally and externally

• Construction of a poultry shed for breeding, hatching, egg collection, sales and food source

• A dairy with housing for multiple cows supporting a funded Biogas project

• Multiple all-weather pathways between the school and the Home

• Providing electricity and cement flooring to the school and the construction of a new classroom

• The provision of additional solar panels, providing 24 hour lighting for security

• Upgrade of playgrounds• Provision of medical supplies and payment of fees

associated with accreditation and registration of the medical clinic

Making a Difference

Through the incredible support of businesses, local councils, politicians, friends and family, the teams have raised extensive amounts to invest into the lives of the children of these two homes.

How can I help?Financially

Tyndale Christian School has made an arrangement with World Families Australia (WFA) for donations made to Testimony Faith Homes (Kenya) and Neema Children’s Home (Kenya). WFA is a third party organisation who is endorsed by the ATO to provide tax deductibility.

Any donations of $250.00 or above, towards participants fundraising efforts are tax deductible.

A gift or donation includes monies given by an individual or companies. Proceeds from raffles, auctions, fundraising events and third parties are NOT considered gifts/donations.

Procedure for receipting donations

• Electronic Payments (via BPAY)School BPAY Code: 857797Reference Number: Ask your trip participant for their individual number.

• Cheque and Cash PaymentsCheque and cash payments can be taken at the main reception counter of the School. Enclose these payments in an envelope.

All payments require you to supply the Mission Administrator with the following:

• Recipient or company name (The person/organisation claiming tax deductibility)

• Postal address• Email address• Participant’s name

Receipt of Payment

After we receive the recipient’s payment and details we will forward payment to WFA who will in turn provide you directly with a tax deductible receipt at WFA’s earliest convenience. Please understand

that without the provision of details, WFA will not be able to provide you with tax deductibility for the donation.

Practically

Donated items: Donated items are always accepted. Each year we have a list of the specific items the team will be taking to the Homes. Your donation of any of these items would be greatly appreciated.

Products and Services: Fundraising events are held during the year where donated products and services can be purchased. All monies raised go towards our supported Homes in Kenya and Sri Lanka.

Prayer

Please pray for Testimony Faith and Neema Homes as they continue to move forward in the vision and purpose of impacting the lives of the children.

To discuss how you can further support these Homes in Kenya please contact the Mission Administrator on 8250 7655 or email missions@tyndale.sa.edu.au

Things you can do

50 Fern Grove BoulevardSalisbury East SA 5109Phone 08 8250 7655missions@tyndale.sa.edu.auwww.tyndale.sa.edu.au