Segera is ready for us!

Below is an overview of the area we will be serving and an update from Ashley with 410 Bridge. The anticipation is building on both sides of the "bridge" as we prepare to go and they get ready for us to arrive.

The Segera Mission is a beacon of hope for the surrounding communities in the region, providing medical care and spiritual and physical nourishment. The three main communities surrounding the mission are Depatus, Jerusalem, and Endona along with several other small tribal villages. These communities, and the area at-large are home to several tribes including the Samburu, Turkana, Masai, and Meru. The area is very secluded and in many ways cut off from the outside world, as a result many of the tribal people in the area have not yet been reached with the Gospel. The primary needs for the area at large have been identified as:

* Access to clean water
* Improved education opportunities for surrounding communities
* Micro-enterprise or revenue generating initiatives
* Evangelism and out-reach programs
* A footbridge providing access to the mission during rainy seasons

So what is happening in Endona?

The primary school continues to sing praises for Brazos Pointe Fellowship since the team came last summer and laid new concrete floors in several classrooms. They remember many team members by name and enjoy talking about the fellowship they shared. They are very excited for Brazos Pointe to return! As education continues to be at the forefront of priorities for this community, 410 Bridge contracted a Kenyan Education Consultant to conduct a needs assessment in both the primary and secondary school.

In rural Kenya communities today, only 25% of 8th grade students pass the national exam required to qualify for secondary (high) school. It is the goal of The 410 Bridge to see 75% of 8th grade students in 410 Bridge Communities qualify for either provincial or national school within the next 5 years. As a result of the needs assessment, a quality education improvement plan will be developed and implemented. The program will be supported through a child sponsorship program offered by education Partner, Bright Point for Children. Components of the program have already been developed including a feeding program in the school. As those sponsorships are filled, the program will be
implemented. The school leadership has also identified the need for a library to provide resources for the students. The July 2009 service team will help construct the library.

Water is also an important priority in Endona. We recently learned from Endona leadership that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), a government entity providing relief in various areas, approved an extensive water project that Endona would benefit from. The community created a water counsel at the request of the CDF and The 410 Bridge met with all involved parties this past March. The 410 Kenya Country Director, Andrew Guuru, is currently working with the appropriate individuals to determine how 410 can come alongside this effort to leverage and enhance the benefits to the Endona Community.

We can't wait to get to there and see for ourselves what all is going on. We are excited to work with our friends in Endona and Segera and administer the Grace of God! Stay tuned.... we will be sending you updates and pictures.

Ashley
Relationship Marketing Director
The 410 Bridge