True to our mutual agreement with the African Inland Church/Tumaini Youth Center (TYC), we must keep our main goal of self-sustainability in mind when we look at new projects. This means securing income producing projects for the future. We chose an apartment complex for our first building project. We are currently building a new 4,536 Sq. ft. Girls Dormitory Facility which is a non-revenue producing project. Since it is fully funded, we consider this a great accomplishment that fills an important need. With this in mind we classify our future goals into two distinct categories: 1) revenue producing and 2) non-revenue producing. Revenue producing projects are more difficult to establish. However, we have plenty of non-revenue projects that improve the quality of life for the Children.
Revenue Producing Project Goals: We are currently carefully considering which of these projects to select for our next revenue producing project.
We are considering purchasing a plot of land for a commercial retail building that will produce rent revenues for TYC. This project will be in the city of Kitale, Kenya and not on TYC’s land. Through our partners in Africa, we are hoping to do an impact study of this area to help us access what type of businesses are most needed by the local community.
We are also considering building a Medical Clinic on site or in the downtown Kitale area. This could be tied to the previous project and help to generate income for the center. It would also save money for children’s vaccinations and health care. We will need to fund one nurse, and if in Kitale, buy or rent a place for operations. If done in Kitale, we feel it would generate revenues sufficient to cover all costs as health care is lacking throughout Kenya.
One of our long-term goals is to be able to host pastoral conferences at TYC. We are considering building living quarters that could be rented to visiting religious groups. This will bring pastors together from around the region to train, educate and fellowship with one another. At the present time, the African Inland Church, which is the overseer of TYC, is helping with the social problems involving orphaned and abandons children. Conferences could be held in the large church located at the center, which was donated by a wealthy man from Kitale (see story under About Us).
Lastly,under consideration is a second Apartment Complex that would be similar to the first. We are in contact with the African team to plan and make the best use of TYC’s 15 acres of land for these projects.
Non-Revenue Producing Projects: We also have on the horizons a New Boys Dormitory. The current boys facility is dated and in need of repair. It is also full to capacity with 45 boys, leaving no room for future male orphans. This would be built on site; it would have to be at least twice the size of the girl’s dormitory and would cost around $100,000.
Tied to this project will be a water filtration system. The water on site is drinkable, but not all the time, and there is not always enough. There are simple systems by Clean Water, Sawyer, Pelican, Sweet Water and Pure that can purify 170 gallons/day for a one-time cost of approximately $550.
Soccer Kids
A project that would not bring in revenue but would be an asset for the center is a soccer field and a new ball. The kids have very little recreation or fun in their lives. They work around the center or go to school. There is always some free time. The kids make soccer balls out of old socks and clothes and kick it through the uneven fields at the center. It would be fantastic to set aside an acre of land to be cleared and leveled for a soccer field. The joy it would bring to the kids would be immeasurable. Plus, it would be a community builder as other families and kids from nearby could come and play and fellowship.