Mirangine area in Nyandarua County is established Bethesda Childcare Centre that has continued to transform the lives of orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children in Kenya.
The Centre serves as a haven to many offering safe space for the children’s growth.
In an exclusive interview with famousnakuru.co.ke, the Founder and Director Mr. John Kamau Mwangi revealed that the Centre was initiatially started in 2013, but operated in Nakuru’s Mawanga estate near the famous Kwa Kihika Kimani area.
According to him, the Centre was first registred under mother Ministry- Bethesda Centre of Evangelism owing to his vast background in matters evangelism, but later Registred Bethesda Childcare Centre.
Asked why the Biblical name ‘Bethesda’, Mr. John says the name is derived from John 5:2 that talks of famous Pool of Bethesda that served as a healing point.
To him, Bethesda Childcare Centre serves as a healing point for the vulnerable children who are admitted at the Centre through a policy of admission that children of 2 years and below.
A good working relationship with Chidren Office, police and the courts has seen the centre receive children for care, who have 3-year comittals that can be renewed until they are 18 years.
Mr. John recalls an incident where a mother delivered twins and died. They stepped in and saved the children whom he reveals are now 12 years old.
“Where it stands today, Bethesda Childcare Centre has been a home of hope, healing, and transformation,” he said.
The Centre has continued to record success with 7 children from the centre having joined National Schools such as Utumishi.
However, Mr. John says it has not been a walk in the Park especially after donor pulled out causing the Centre to suffer huge blow.
According to him, in 2014 they purchased the 5- acre parcel of land that the Centre now sits on and a donor from USA vowed to support.
This is a move that saw construction of a 3-storey building in 2017/2018 and by 2020 the first floor had been done and eventually the whole building was completed.
The building has dormitories for older boys and girls as well as the little ones. It also houses the kitchen, guest wing and Bethesda Church.
However, the donor pulled out after she differed with Mr. John over a construction of a modern kitchen to replace the old kitchen as per the recomendation of Public Health Officer.
“In 2023 it was the beginning and my end with the donor. You see my olan was to ensure a better environment for the kids, but the donor seemed upset with that. The worst scenario of financial constraints started in 2024 August when the donor cut the funding support and even threatened to sack me yet I was not even her employee,” he stated.
As fate would have it, the former donor visited the home in December 2024 without informing Mr. John, in what he says was attempt to have the Home transferred.
He had to seek police intervention and the matter was settled allowing him to continue running the Centre even though with financial constraints due to lack of donor.
A staunch Christian, John points out that this far the Centre has been surviving through God’s Grace.
With a current population of 70 children, he notes that there is beed for well-wishers to step in with financial support especially for the education support to those in schools.
For more details on how to support one can contact the centre via 0721201092 or Gmail bethesdachicare@gmail.com
“Since the donor pulled out, the works here is by Grace of God. We really appeal to well-wishers to step in and support the education of these children especially the ones in high school who are not on any scholarship. We are appealing for assistance in terms of fry food such as cereals, cooking oil, and wheat flour, sanitary pads, as well as learning materials ,” he said.
According to John, the community should embrace and support his works at the Centre for the sake of the children’s welfare.
Sentiments echoed by Elizabeth Wangari who serves as the supervisor of other staffs at the centre.
It should be noted that the centre has 2 cooks, 3 cleaners, 2 gardeners and casuals with no salary, in what Ms Elizabeth says much of the work at the centre is voluntary and calls for passion in Children Ministry.
A social worker by profession, Ms Elizabeth pointed out that when she looks back from when the Centre started with only 2 kids, she admits that it is God’s doings.
She reveals that her passion for Children started way back in their family when her dad used to take care of her siblings plus her cousins under one roof.
According to her, the work she is doing makes view herself as a mother to many.
“Whatever we are doing here is serving God through Children Ministry. It is not easy but we keep on praying that God gives us grace to handle each day’s challenges,” she says.