First steps to the Brydges Centre dream: Building one home for all children!

Download and view our building plans:

14 years ago Rosemary Wafula met some children who were living on the street, they were hungry, cold and alone. Moved by compassion she started taking them into her home, and eventually started a children’s home which is now known as Brydges Centre.

As more and more children came Rosemary’s dream of providing a safe place and a “family” for these children did not fade way or get lost in the overwhelming amount of need that faced her each day.

Eventually, as the number of her children grew they resided in six different locations.

Having the children scattered I multiple locations adds many challenges to the operation of the home, and while they are still indeed a family, they do not have the blessing of living closer together and supporting each other as an overall group.

Rosemary has dreamed for years of a place that all the children could come and live at one location. While she has achieved the dream of making the Brydges children a family, they still do not have a “home” where all the children can stay and they can call it their own.

We are excited to announce that Rosemary’s dream is about to come true!

Recently land has been purchased in the first step of making this dream a reality. The accompanying picture is the land as it stands in December. The five acres has been fenced to protect the property, and a toilet and temporary storage shed has been built.

All that remains for the first phase to be completed is for trees to be planed around the fence and for a borehole (well) to be drilled. These final items should be completed by February 1.

At the same time Phase II will be starting. We have met with a contractor and are finalizing the layout of the buildings on the land and actual building layout. See the Compound Layout for an idea of what it will look like when we are finished.

Phase II will include the building of the first dorms, which will be set up in a family group format. The younger children will be in groups of eight – ten in their own “apartment” with a mama to oversee and care for them. As the children get older they will move into more of a dorm setting as teenagers. These dorms are also part of Phase II. There are also plans for a football field, and large areas for the children to play outside. As you can see in the plan, there will also be an area for a garden to provide fresh produce for the children.

Phase II will also include the building of the Skills Centre, which will also be used for classrooms and as a dining hall for the short term. Also included will be a residential building which will be used for offices in the beginning.

It is our hope and prayer that Phase III will begin before Phase II is complete. As funds are made available we will build more classrooms, dorms, library, and a dining hall with a full kitchen.

And finally, Phase IV will be the construction of a chapel, clinic, and multiple residential housing units for staff and visitors.

We will keep stories and pictures posted on this website to keep you up to date on how we are progressing. We welcome and encourage you to come along side us as we build a new home for the Brydges children!

But we need your help!

For donors in the USA please click here for information on how you can help by donating to the building project. For donors from elsewhere around the globe please click here and contact us through the form provided, ensuring you let us know if you have a preference on where your donation is used. We will then be in touch with details on how you can donate.