Egypt, particularly the Cairo area, has some of the poorest of the poor among our global partners. There are more than 20 million people in greater Cairo, trying to survive in an economic environment strained by the vast population and the country’s political instability. Many are day laborers searching for the most basic sustenance needed to support themselves and their families.

The Christian population is a highly persecuted minority in this area, enduring homelessness and a lack of income primarily because of their chosen faith. Chase Oaks Church funds seven different projects in this partnership.

One of the oldest and most squalid slum areas in Nairobi is the Mathare Valley. The degree of poverty there is unimaginable. Approximately 600,000 people live in an area of 3 square miles. People live in 6-by-8 foot shanties made of old tin and mud, with an income of less than a dollar per day. Crime and HIV/AIDS are common; many parents die of AIDS and leave their children to fend for themselves. Chase Oaks Church partners with Mathare Community Outreach to support children’s scholarships for school.

Chase Oaks also supports Moriah School of Discipleship, a six-month discipleship program for high school graduates. Before attending university, these students spend their time in a rural area learning to farm. They also develop other life skills as well as habits in Bible study, prayer, fasting and outreach. All return home transformed into more devoted followers of Jesus.

The rural village of Mbale has 176 homes and well over 600 children. The village is quite poor, leaving the children vulnerable to illness with little hope of a brighter future. Until recently, Mbale had no school, store, medical clinic, road, drinkable water, or plan for community development. Women had to walk a long distance to a lake just to collect polluted water. The nearest school was 3 miles away, so most children simply didn’t go.

Chase Oaks Church is partnering with the people of Mbale in tangible ways. We help support the newly constructed Chosen Generation School by providing teacher salaries, school supplies and books, as well as a Children’s Pastor to work with the children and their families. We have also provided funding for a fresh water drinking well within the village.

Only 43% of Honduran children enrolled in primary school will complete the 6th grade. An estimated 170,000 children are orphaned, and each year there are nearly 21,000 new cases of children in crisis. Chase Oaks partners with Orphan Outreach in two projects; NiCo, a program providing children with tutoring, mentoring, nutritious meals, counseling, therapy, and Bible study; and the Foster Care Initiative with the Honduran government.

Casa Hogar Elim is home to 80+ children ranging from infant to 24 years of age. Through Mama Lupita’s loving example, the children are taught to love God and depend on Him to supply their needs. Chase Oaks Church supports Casa Hogar in two ways:

• Providing financial support for Thad and Anita Maddox and Gift of Dignity, and
• Hosting four annual mission trips to Nuevo Laredo to serve the children and staff.