OUR ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY

• Providence Children's Home and Community Center is an organization of architects, educators, and activists in America and in Kenya. Advisory Council members reside in Texas, Oklahoma and California.

• Our organization is the brainchild of Joram Githumbi, a Kenyan philanthropist, who in 1998 enlisted the support of students and professors at the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Austin. Architectural and feasibility studies were performed and designs for the community center were developed.

• A strong Advisory Board has also developed since that time and several members have made visits to Kenya to gather information and establish contacts.

• The Directors of Providence Children's Home have extensive experience directing non-profit organizations in Kenya. Our organization is an affiliate of Providence Ministries, Inc., which was founded by Joram Githumbi. Water For Kenya, which conducted deep water drilling, and Medical Missions International, which transported much needed medical supplies to Kenya were developed and executed by Mr. Githumbi and his Board.

• Our organization has a U.S. component and a Kenyan component. The U.S.-based Advisory Board is in charge of setting the overall direction, establishing policy, and raising funds. A Kenyan-based Board of Trustees is responsible for implementing policy in Kenya and for day to day operations.

SUSTAINABILITY

• We will continue our fundraising in order to establish a trust fund. While the tuition collected from paying students is currently sufficient to operate the school, these trust funds will insure financial stability and the continued operation of the orphanage and the school.

• A separate fund will be established to renovate the property and establish   new buildings for homes and classrooms.

• We will use sustainable architectural techniques to design and expand the facility. This will include the use of solar and wind power, rainwater collection, and the use of local materials and building techniques.

• Initial capital funds will pay for the purchase of the property and short-term maintenance.

• PCHCC will also initiate an orphan sponsorship program in mid 2005. This program will pay for the educational and living expenses of the orphans.

• Expenses the U.S. Board incurs will be kept to a minimum, with the primary cost being a full-time Development Director and minimal travel expenses.

• Virtually all other monies will be spent on construction and daily operations in Kenya.