Sudan: Kharnhem Orphans' Center - Kalakala, Kharnhem

SUDAN HOME

LOCATION

Sudan is the largest country in Africa – more than 967,499 sq miles (2.5 million square kilometers) in size – and ranges from vast expanses of desert in the north to regions of tropical forest in the south of the country. It is bordered by no less than nine other countries - Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The capital city of Khartoum is home to 5.7 million people, about 6.7% of the total population, estimated to be about 38 million people.

HISTORY

For a number of years, All Saint’s Episcopal Cathedral in Khartoum has had the vision to open a Home for orphans and other at-risk children. In 2000, the church opened a small Home for boys and girls in Kalakala on the outskirts of the city. However, the ministry struggled to raise enough funding to care for these children until Kids Alive stepped in to help in January 2006. The Center is now caring for ten children, ages 6 to 15, and hopes to increase this number in the future.

FACILITIES

The Center is located in a house with five main rooms: three bedrooms, a living room, and an office. Some major repairs are needed to the structure of the building in the near future as large cracks have appeared in some of the walls and roof. There is a small kitchen located in an outbuilding, and there are possibilities for developing another small building in the grounds. The Home has electricity and a water tap. Although the site is small, it will be sufficient to meet the needs of up to 20 residential children.

PROGRAM

The program is managed by Paul Elionai, who is assisted by two other staff members. The children walk several miles each day to attend local schools, and are doing very well with their studies. Links have been built with another school that provides vocational training opportunities. Spiritual activities are a key part of the program, and the church is very active in teaching the Bible to the children and discipling those who make commitments.

FUTURE
A key need in the near future is the renovation of the building, which will cost around $25,000. The Center would also like to expand the number of children it cares to 20.