Walk with Uzima Outreach

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”— Lao Tsu

Life is a series of journeys that all have to start somewhere. Uzima is the Swahili word for “life” and the organization, Uzima Outreach, is one that for the past 3 years has brought life and healing to those in areas of Nairobi, Kenya, where many people live with substance abuse. Three years ago Steve Turner walked into one of the slums in the area knowing there was a great need. It was a dangerous place that few Kenyans were willing to step into. Today, that same place is unrecognizable. Turner relates “Sodom is not what it used to be…[it] was known for murders, rapes, muggings, and serious drug abuse. There was a group of guys, around fifty strong, which ruled the area. Even police were afraid to go there”. Today, the gang has dispersed and several of the men who led the gang are now on the team of Uzima. The slum was changed by men walking away from addiction and walking the hard road of recovery.  Through Uzima’s outreach program—daily men make the choice to walk away from substance abuse and to walk in a new way—in life and freedom.

The ministry’s purpose is twofold—to reach the addicted adults and the orphaned and neglected children of the addicted (who are often themselves addicted to substances). Uzima hosts an outpatient program involving counseling and Bible studies. The next phase is a live-in program for those who show progress in the outpatient meetings. In this phase the men, and often their families, are further counseled and the men are also taught life-skills through the “Business as Missions” model. The ministry has grown tremendously over three years—one man’s first step and the leadership of other faithful leaders—such as Fred and Washington, became a strong team created by God to change the walk of many men.

Uzima’s other primary ministry—caring for and teaching the orphaned and abandoned children affected by substance abuse—grew from the outreach program. As Turner and others walked through the slum, they met many children who were orphaned or abandoned by their drug and alcohol addicted parents or caregivers, and who were sometimes addicted themselves. Once again, the ministry stepped into the lives of many who needed hope and help. Uzima has opened a Children’s Home that now cares for 34 children. Uzima works to clothe, feed, and educate these children—changing their lives by paving the way for them to grow in a safe and caring environment away from the streets.

 

In three short years, Uzima has walked into the slum and walked alongside the journey of recovery of many men and children in the harshest parts of the slum—but this would not have been possible without others walking with Uzima. Many visitors have walked through and ran with the children in football games and in meeting educational and physical needs. Turner’s friend, Steve Wescott, is literally walking across the USA—from the Space Needle to Times Square with a goat to raise awareness and funds for Uzima to build a new Children’s Home.

Today, Uzima needs you to walk with them. This life-changing and life-giving ministry is possible because many people walk with the leaders. Presently, there are many immediate needs—from monthly expenses to one time gift opportunities. You don’t have to walk into a slum, across the continent, or fly across an ocean to make a difference. The reality of Christmas is that our gifts echo the greatest gift—supporting the abandoned children and recovery of men enslaved in addiction is a beautiful way of walking alongside them. Uzima Outreach has brought life and hope to many men and children—we can help sustain the life of Uzima and equip them to change lives—one step at time.

If you would like to walk with and support Uzima Outreach, there are several ways to give:

By Mail:                                                        Or Online:  https://secure-q.net/donations/Uzima/1494

Uzima Outreach
P.O. Box 350
Spokane Valley, WA. 99037

Here are some specific ideas to bring Christmas to Uzima Outreach by financially walking with them:

Monthly needs       

Fees for all Secondary school fees: 27,000ksh ($311) for all the children! Or ($77 per child)
Rent for the Children’s Home - $230
Children’s Medical expenses (broken down monthly) $57
Utilities at the children’s home (Approximately) $50                          

And here are some current, one time donations needed:

Curtains and curtain rail for the Children’s Home - $45
Medical check-ups for all the children - $400—for all of the 34 children who call Uzima home
Extra water tank (we run out often) 5,000 liters - $400

If you want to give towards one of these specific needs, you can write it in the memo line of the check, or in the “comment section” online.

     

 Please check out Uzima’s website: http://uzimaoutreach.org/