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The Springs Ministries is a Christian voluntary Community Based Organization in Kisumu Kenya, East Africa. It serves a population of over 80,000 people and focuses on fighting against HIV/AIDS, and helping widows and orphans

The result of the prevalence of the HIV/AIDS and its related diseases are causing untold suffering for the infected and affected. Lots of young men and women are widowed early and left with very young children to fend for single handed and more often than not, left when they are also already infected with virus. This has affected the moral, social and physical well being of the survivors causing bitter suffering. Depression and helplessness are the end result of this situation which is growing at an alarming rate.

Springs Ministries was therefore founded as a remedial response to the ravaging effects of HIV/AIDS by a group of concerned Christians. This initiative followed the realization that HIV/AIDS infected or affected widows, and orphans who are constantly rejected, stigmatized and discriminated against within their homes and even the entire community, hence presenting a great need for a framework of development and support. St Paul’s plans to provide regular money to Springs to pay for the food and schooling of about 35 orphans at the orphanage that we visited in Summer 2007. In addition, Springs has many other needs, and these and much more information can be found on www.springsministriestrust.net

Kisumu Youth – Joshua Opondo

Joshua Opondo is appointed to full time youth ministry for the Maseno South Diocese of Kisumu, Kenya, with the title of DYO-Diocesan Youth Organizer/Advisor/Worker. He is charged with the responsibility of coordinating all youth work within the Diocese for the age group of 13yrs to 35yrs. The work covers 37 Parishes, 9 Deaneries, 3 Arch-Deaconries, as well as all the schools and colleges sponsored by the Anglican church. This is an unpaid post, and St Paul’s has agreed to fund £3,000 per annum towards his work, although Joshua is still in need of more income to be able to realise his plans. Joshua’s vision is to see a mature youth department committed to a uniform and holistic mission based on the Apostolic faith in Jesus Christ with the ability to empower Gods people especially the youths to face the challenges of the new millennium.

JOSHUA’S PLANS.

1:To put up a youth office structure to run our youth programs from and will also act as the information centre for all youths. We have either been operating from the church, under a tree or other peoples offices which made office work very difficult.

2. To organize for youth Leaders training for all Parish, Deanery and Arch-Deaconry coordinators and other officials in order to equip them for this noble ministry .It will almost be impossible to achieve my vision if I will be working with unskilled workers. The book of Ecclesiastes puts it clear in Chapter 10:10'If your axe is blunt and you don’t sharpen it, you have to work harder to use it, it’s more sensible to plan ahead. They are my axes and if they are blunt, more effort would be needed and a lot shall have been destroyed. Most of the leaders I have worked with do not even know their roles therefore beginning with training and then follow with other Workshops at Deanery and Parish level will take us far.

3.Establishing a strong Evangelism ministry and especially school ministry. The Anglican church sponsor almost 70% of schools in this region but there has been no pastoral and spiritual care offered to these schools. Of late there has been lots of strikes in schools, Devil Worship, issues of drug and substance Abuse, homosexuality and other issues that Only by introducing God to students can this be redressed. I am already coming up with team of professionals in different areas and also keen to minister the word of God to youths in schools. Majority of the youths are in schools and therefore if we can’t get them there, we shall not get them when they are out.

4.To establish What I can term as a 'LOVE POT', a pot in Luo Tradition is meant for keeping foods of value e.g. water. In most homes where there are no electricity and no refrigerators, its where cold water for drinking is kept. As water is the most essential in life, so is the life of young person especially education. Most of the youths do suffer lots of challenges especially due to level of poverty, HIV/AIDS which has left many orphans, young widows and widowers where some have been left infected and some children left to head families or in the hands of old grandparents. Lack of job opportunities is also another factor. This 'LOVE POT', is to act as a reservoir where we would appeal for any item starting from books, uniforms, clothes etc and finances to assist the most desperate ones to move on in life. For items like text books, we can give to those going to school, when they move to another class, they bring it back and the process continue and Am so sure those whom this shall have helped, will of course support it. I have tried it with the youths I have raised and it’s a really inspiring one.

5.Visitation to all Parishes, Deaneries, Arch-Deaconries and to schools in order to ensure youth work is effective and to sensitize and encourage youths and their leaders. Youth ministry is not valued by most clergy and elders, I suffered lots as I grew up in their Hands and God strengthened me. Sharing my experience with them within their set ups will be of great help. In the few Parishes I have shared my example in ministry, I thank God they have improved a great deal.

6.Establish income generating projects at the Diocesan level and to roll down to Arch-Deaconries and to Parishes. This will be through establishing a Development Department within the youth structure to work on such.

7.To acquire the Maseno school for the deaf Showroom within the church compound just in front of our youth structure of which they hope to leave by May this year. I have talked to them over this but we shall have to buy it at Ksh 70,000[625GB Pounds].This we hope to turn into a cyber/internet cafe and card making room. Mark Farmer of Worcester university shared with me sometime back that he can provide for us some used desk top computers.