A dedicated group of Prince George teenagers are preparing to experience a culture shock during an 18-day stay in Nairobi, Kenya.
The youth, ranging from 15 to 17 years, are on mission to help make difference in the lives of about 30 orphaned girls in Africa.
The 11-member group from Lakewood Alliance Church will spend about two and a half weeks in August at Tamani Orphanage working with staff and the orphans as well as taking on major renovations needed at the care facility.
The mission is a five-year project by Lakewood Alliance to improve the quality of life for the young girls who range from babies, being cared for by orphanage members, to 16-year-olds, said Lakewood Alliance Pastor Amy Dobson.
"These girls would be living with no hope, love or protection if it were not for Tomani Orphanage and and the people who support it," Dobson said.
Some of the orphans have been abandoned and left on the orphanage step while others have lost parents to disease, including HIV AIDS.
"Girls, especially, in the Third World don't have a lot of hope for education, prosperity or an average normal life," said Dobson.
The teenagers will live in a guest house located about 10 minutes from the orphanage, and will consume goat and chicken meat and rice for meals.
"We're telling them they may find food they are not familiar with on their plates, but the rule is to be prepared and be polite," said Dobson.
Temperatures in Nairobi in August reach highs of 21 C and lows of 11 C.
The church project also includes helping to build a new and bigger orphanage that will house more girls.
"They have purchased a 10-acre site, but they don't have the funds to build it yet. In early 2012, the men's group from the church will go there to build a wall around the site for security and safety," said Dobson.
"The stories of their experiences the youth will bring back will help prepare the way for the second team mission."
In the meantime, the youth group, accompanied by four adult leaders, will be planting fruit trees on the new site for sustainable food and income in the future.
Since October the group has been working hard to raise funds for the trip estimated to cost $4,300 per youth.
"Our goal is to raise $65,000 to cover transportation, accommodations, meals and project work for this first trip," Dobson said.
The group leaves Aug. 7 and returns Aug. 25.
Fund raising has included everything from yard, bake and cookie sales to car washes, plant sales and a support letter to local business for silent auction items.
"As well the group is doing spring highway and parking lot cleanup for Yellowhead Road and Bridge and in May we'll hold a Kenyan meal and silent auction at the church."
For more information call Lakewood Alliance at 250-564-8737.
