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Click HERE to watch the Challenge Farm Video
Ministry History
The Challenge Ministries began in 1992, as an outreach to ten boys who were being regularly beaten by police because they were begging for food- one of the boys was only three. After seeing him being beat, Cheri and several friends began a feeding program. Quickly realizing that was a temporary solution, the challenge expanded to providing education and counseling. Located in Kawangware-one of the worst slums in Nairobi-the center offered an alternative to street life. The center provided food, literacy training, basic work skills and ethics. Challenge Clubs comprised the core of the program. They were designed to encourage boys and girls to come off the streets. Each club was lead by committed Christians, some of whom were former street children. Clubs included: reading, drama, soccer, art, library, music, crafts, Bible and weightlifting.
Challenge Safari was a unique opportunity for those who had given up street life and demonstrated enough stability to go on a real African safari. Safari’s included backpacking and camping in the African wilderness. These street hardened children were awe struck as they encountered lions, giraffes, and Cape buffalo for the first time. In addition to learning about their heritage, God’s creation and the environment, boys and girls developed the skills of teamwork, planning, and survival.
Challenge Workshops were also established for children 16 years or older to develop work and business skills. Challenge Craft groups produced gift bags, jewelry and artwork. Sales of craft items help pay for materials, food, shelter and other basic needs. Challenge Education included feeding, housing, literacy classes and school fees for over 200 children in Nairobi. The center was designed to help break the cycle of poverty and addiction to the life of the street and to help children become productive members of their community. Today those who were trained at the center carry out this work independently.
In 1999 a new Challenge program was started in Kitale, Kenya. Kitale is a small service town of over 800,000 people located 330 km northwest of Nairobi. It is a base for people heading to Mt. Elgon, Saiwa Swamp National Park and up to Turkana. The town dates back to the 1920’s and 30’s where the fertile land surrounding the town was heavily settled. Before that Quitale was a slave-trading center. It is the District headquarters of Trans-Nzoia, a wealthy agricultural area. During the 1980’s and early 1990’s the area experienced tribal clashes which left many homeless. Although some have returned home, many of the squatters and street children remain homeless as a result.
From 1999 until January 2003, Challenge Ministry operated the Light and Power Center, a drop in center located in the center of Kitale town. Over 50 street kids would come for literacy training, food, hygiene and clubs.
In January 2003, Light and Power Center was opened at The Challenge Farm. Challenge Farm is a fertile 10 acre farm located 7 km northeast of Kitale town. Currently there are 100 kids in residence. |