HOREC stands for Hope for Orphans Rescue Centre.
Please share this with anyone who might be interested.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
2011 Update
Wow. An update now could read like a list. :) (Most importantly) 33 mostly healthy children. Borehole water well with plentiful water supply for HOREC and its community. Office/library. Boys dormitory. Septic system. 3rd acre of land resulting in tripled property size over the last 2 years. Kitchen. Possible future medical clinic (nearest hospital now is 31 miles away). Again... Wow.
2010 Update :)
Much happened this year! I think it may be easier to read in bullet format:
- Five new beautiful, abandoned children have joined the family!
- Land purchased (adjacent) to double the size and increase potential to save more children!
- Boys dorm has been funded and will be built in 2011
- Septic system funded and under construction for proper sanitation
- Kitchen completed w/cabinets, refrigerator, sink, electricity and running water
- Security measures were put in place for the safety of the children and staff
Projects That Need Support:
- Mission team members for a 2011 mission trip in summer/fall 2011
- Ongoing operational support
- Education funding to help the children help themselves in the future
- Funds for livestock and crops (sustainability and self-sufficiency!)
Great News!
HOREC is doing pretty well these days! While still attempting to recover from the attacks late last fall, there is counseling in place for the children and they are doing fairly well according to Christine, HOREC's director.
A security wall has been built and it includes razor wire at the top. Chickens have been donated but pens have yet to be built - another reason more land will help them be more sustainable. Two alarms were donated for HOREC's neighbors and relations with their neighbors are excellent. A strong community is a more secure community; friendship-building; strength in numbers; etc. :)
A sewing machine and supplies were donated by friends of HOREC in the States and the hope is that this may provide some valuable skills, and possibly some money-making opportunities.
Another HOREC priority coming up is the building of a boys dorm that will use two of the walls already in place from the security wall. There will still be a courtyard outside the current dorm and the boys dorm would be opposite the current dorm.
As you can see in the "Spring 2010" photo album, there was also an HIV/AIDS awareness day called Candle Light Day to educate the community. The success of this event was a tremendous source of pride for Christine; and education is a significant part of helping to confront this major social and health issue. WAY TO GO, CHRISTINE!!! :)
SAD NEWS
A message from Jennifer Lawrence, missionary with the HOREC orphanage:
Thursday morning around 1 a.m. approximately 15 thugs broke into the orphanage….The men must have been watching the property because they waited until the night guard went into his house to escape the rain. They cut the electricity supply, broke the lock to the front gate and made their way to the corridor of the bathrooms. ...Two of the thugs climbed over the wall landing in the girl’s bedroom. They got the door open so that the rest could join…They were carrying axes and machetes. Some of the men cut through the boxes of supplies, some were yelling at the staff to hand over money and cell phones, and others dragged two of the girls to the storage room and raped them. One of the girls is 14 years of age and the other is 10. Both have come from sexually abusive backgrounds. The housemother was being beaten mercilessly as some of the children were climbing under beds to hide……the police arrived to find the chaos of screaming children…"
We learned later that the housemother was holding the 3-year old boy under one of the beds to protect him. They dragged her out and beat her right in front of the 3-year old's eyes.
NEXT KENYA MISSION TRIP planned for September/October 2010!
Thank God for First United Methodist Church of Durango! :)
"On behalf of HOREC, we want to thank First United Methodist Church for what they have done for us… We are happy because now we have a well to use and fresh water… Thank you for the water… May God bless you a lot, Amen."
What beautiful music!
My all-time favorite! I love hearing this laughter and seeing those smiles! And, Sylvia's tongue! I think she has Gene Simmons beat!
Alice, Cecilia and Susan listening to "Cecilia" on Sandi's iPod.
Flyin' Jack! :)
The girls were out in the driveway running. They'd put sticks down for each other to run to. I didn't capture much, but it was entertaining to watch. This is their entertainment - no TV, no video games, no major toys. They are creative with what they have. Amazing kids!
I think Joyce is slacking again!
They have efficiency down!
We were greeted with these singing angels.
After being presented with traditional beaded neck art, Christine and the children showed them how to dance with it. Christine explained that the dancer doesn't move as much as the neck piece moves, but watching Marty I disagree. I think I know how your knee got so bad, Marty.
