About Oasis
Our History
In early 2004, several families in the Chicago area had a common desire to address the needs of orphans in Africa. After making a contact in the country of Kenya and taking a step of faith, the families traveled to this region of Africa to see how they could help.
During the first trip they began exploring Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. It was there in the middle of the largest slum in Africa that they were introduced to Pastor Joseph Ole Teleu. Pastor Joseph had been away from his family for ten years working with and ministering to the children of the slum. He explained that conditions outside of Nairobi were so difficult that people were willing to move their families to the slum just to have a chance to eke out a very meager income.
Kibera Slum. Nairobi, Kenya.
Joseph shared his vision of permanently moving back to his home in rural Trans Mara to begin the transformation of his home community by improving education, caring for the orphans and developing economic opportunities.
After accompanying Pastor Joseph back to the Trans Mara, the families of Oasis knew that this desperate place was where they needed to make a difference. Fortunately, Pastor Joseph's community had already started working toward transforming the Trans Mara. They had begun an organization called Trans Mara Development group (TMD) which was doing a great job running a primary school and educating the adults with some basic vocational skills. They had been praying for 7 years that someone with access to resources would come alongside and partner with them in this undertaking. Their organization and planning provided a solid basis to begin the dramatic changes Joseph and TMD envisioned. Within a short time, Oasis was able to make it possible for Joseph to move back with his family and run TMD full time.
Considering the critical needs of the community, TMD recognized that there was a large and growing number of orphans. With the HIV infection rate at about 10% in the region, and a high prevalence of other deadly diseases many children were being orphaned, creating a real crisis. Most of these children were living with grandparents, extended families, or friends that were already overburdened.
Oasis began providing support for 11 of the neediest orphans in the community. The children were now able to attend school, many for the first time. In addition, they had new clothes, regular meals and medical care. One of the first children was 4 years old and found to be so malnourished he was near death. He could not even sit up without assistance. After being brought into the program, he started eating regularly and his life was saved. Today he is happy and growing strong!
After seeing the dramatic difference in the lives of the first eleven orphans there was a recognition that many more children could benefit from the care the program provided. In addition, the need for a permanent orphanage building became apparent, as some of the children were living in very difficult circumstances.
In the beginning of 2007, Oasis for Orphans presented a strategic plan for the orphanage to The Chapel, a non-denominational church in Grayslake, Illinois. After much consideration, The Chapel made a substantial financial commitment toward this program. This commitment enabled Oasis and TMD to construct Phase I of the orphanage that would house over half of the target capacity of 65 children. On February 1st, 2008, 41 orphans moved into the Trans Mara Children's Home. During 2008 the second phase of the orphanage was scoped, planned and estimated with the goal of providing good care for many more children. Our dreams are now becoming a reality.
As of May 2010, 74 children are in the program. These children sleep in the 5 bedrooms of the Phase 1 dormitory. The Phase 2 dormitory is almost complete. Soon the capacity will more than double, the children will be able to spread out a bit and additional children can be brought into the program.
Families from all over are seeing the need and are stepping up to sponsor these kids and the programs that support them and their community. There is tremendous excitement at seeing how God is using this opportunity to change lives and bless people on both sides of the world.
The Oasis Story
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