Location:

2 hours north of Nairobi in the Central Province about 5 km from the town of Karatina.

Description:

David and Elwanda Fields founded Antioch Independent Baptist Church 55 years ago in Karatina.  They also founded a Bible College that was opened to leaders in Karogoto.  The Bible College has been instrumental in training leaders in Karogoto, such as Pastor Harrison, the community’s first Leadership Council chairman.

Karogoto is a community of roughly 7,000 people.  The community is located at the base of the Tumutumu Hills.  Karogoto is mainly an agricultural community with many small-scale farms.  Coffee beans are one of the major crops in the area and a local co-op provides some source of income for local growers.  The coffee industry is fraught with corruption and the local coffee grower is often exploited.  Harvests are seasonal and therefore employment is sporadic.  The rate of unemployment is estimated to be as high as 85%.  The 410 Bridge has partnered with the community and leadership to create a women’s knitting project that has trained and created income-producing jobs for one hundred of the poorest women in the community.  In 2011 construction of a permanent facility was started to house the project.

A borehole was drilled in 2011 and a water distribution project is currently underway.  The project will ultimately include 6-7 large storage tanks around the hilly community as funding becomes available.

Although Christianity is the primary faith in the community, this does not necessarily translate into a personal relationship with Christ. There is a great need for evangelism and discipleship in Karogoto.  Local pastors and leadership are very excited about addressing the spiritual and physical needs of the community and have proven to be a well organized Leadership Council.

Community Partner(s):

• Parker Hill Comm Church (PA)

Priorities:

• Micro-Enterprise Training
• Water
• Education

410 Community Coordinator:

• James Mwangi

Primary Tribe:

• Kikuyu