Kenya has a shockingly large number of HIV/AIDS victims.  Many mothers and fathers leave their young ones with neighbors or grandparents. This causes a heavy burden on the caretakers because of their limited ability to care for an additional child. More than 21000 people die yearly due to HIV/AIDS in Kenya; this doesn’t include the number of deaths caused by Malaria, accidents, tribal (ethnic) wars, and other diseases. Statistically, the number of orphans is growing in Kenya and Africa as a whole.

Several things can happen to children when their parents die from HIV and AIDS-related causes. It is very common, in many Kenyan streets and villages, to find these destitute children along the highways and on the street corners desperately begging for a shilling.  Some live at the municipal town garbage bins where they scavenge for any remains of scraps of food.  Others will be found sniffing glue, as a way to kill hunger pains.  Many of the young girls start prostitution at a very early age, as young as 10 years old, to seek a living. Other street children turn into pick-pockets and thieves.

Kenya currently has 3.6 million Orphans.

In 2010, Pastor Wallis went to Nakuru, Kenya on a 3-week mission trip. During his visit, he saw many orphans lying in the streets and eating out of trash cans. According to Pastor Wallis, “Before this time, I never saw a great need for orphanages or boarding schools for orphans and needy children. There are currently over 3 ½ million orphans and needy children in Kenya. God started working on my heart while I was in Kenya on a 3-week mission trip, and He confirmed to me that Kenya was where He wanted my family to go and minister to the orphans of Kenya.” 

Pastor Wallis and his family moved to Nakuru and ministered there for 3 years. They then moved to Rongo, Kenya where they have been ministering for the last 3 years. They have been helping orphans and needy children with school fees and supplies, and necessities of life including food, water, and shelter. They have also established Cornerstone Baptist Church which meets in their home and has 60+members currently. Every Sunday, The Wallis family also provides a hot meal for those attending church services.  

There are many needs in the world, and we must do our part where we are called.