FAQs
Click each question for more information:
Can people living outside of Kenya adopt one of the babies?
Currently, adoption to the US has been blocked by both the US Government and the Kenyan Government. Please pray with us that both of these hurdles are quickly removed.
Do you accept babies who are HIV positive?
Yes, we do accept babies who are HIV positive. We normally do not have any idea of an infant’s health when we receive them as the test to determine the status is done immediately after we get them so we can provide the best option in regards to medicines and diet. It is not uncommon for us to receive an infant who tests positive at first for HIV, and once they are put on proper medical and nutritional protocol they later test negative. This is due largely to the fact that the earlier tests are actually showing the mothers status and the antibodies that were present in the mother are detectable in the infant. While proper medicine and nutrition is critical, we believe it is the prayers offered for the infant are the greatest factor in the final outcome for the baby’s health.
Where do the babies come from?
MpM is registered with the Kenyan Government and we work closely with the Government Children Officers and Children’s Department. Due to these connections we also are well known to many area hospitals, police stations, and District Children Officers, all whom call us when they have a case of an abandoned infant. There are times we are requested to take an infant from another home that is unable to properly care for the infant. Other times we may be asked to provide temporary care for an infant whose family is unable to provide proper care.
You state that you care for babies up to age two, what happens then?
In the beginning our goal was to have little ones up to age two. The goal being to have them either returned to biological family or placed into an adoptive Forever Family by the age of one year. But sadly, circumstances have changed that plan. The reason they are still here is multi-faceted, and this has become our #1 prayer request.
Some children are considered "special needs", meaning that they have some type of condition that will mostly likely be a lifelong affliction. It could be that a child is HIV +, and in this culture there is still so much stigma about AIDS that very few are willing to consider a child who is HIV+. Or perhaps Downs Syndrome, or another type of genetic disorder, and again, Kenyans rarely are willing to open their home and heart to lifelong care.
Second, since International Adoptions are still closed in Kenya, locals are our only option for adoption.
We have had to transfer some of our older “special” children to another home that we have great trust and faith in. And in the event International Adoption opens back up, they will be available to be adopted.
Please join us in praying for International Adoption to open back up so these children can get their very own Forever Family.
Some children are considered "special needs", meaning that they have some type of condition that will mostly likely be a lifelong affliction. It could be that a child is HIV +, and in this culture there is still so much stigma about AIDS that very few are willing to consider a child who is HIV+. Or perhaps Downs Syndrome, or another type of genetic disorder, and again, Kenyans rarely are willing to open their home and heart to lifelong care.
Second, since International Adoptions are still closed in Kenya, locals are our only option for adoption.
We have had to transfer some of our older “special” children to another home that we have great trust and faith in. And in the event International Adoption opens back up, they will be available to be adopted.
Please join us in praying for International Adoption to open back up so these children can get their very own Forever Family.
How is the funding for the ministry obtained?
95% of our support comes through private individuals and churches. It is these partners and the Grace of God that keep the ministry going. See our “Get involved” page for more information on how you can be a partner in this ministry.
How do you care for so many babies?
We have full time Kenyan Caregivers that provide care around the clock, seven days a week. The caregivers rotate and typically work in 24 – 36 hour shifts (including sleeping between feedings) to assure some continuity for the infants. All new intakes are kept under the watchful eye of Mama Bell and are quarantined at the Bell’s house for the first 3 – 5 days to make sure they are stable.
We talk much about the babies and the IRC, but what are these other ministries?
While our main focus is on the rescue and adoption of infants we also work with other children homes and groups of vulnerable children to help them be more self-sufficient through tools such as the greenhouse projects. When there is a need we also train about and if needed, provide water purifiers as well. The Farming God’s Way program is designed to help the children homes increase the yield they are currently getting from their own farming plots.