8. Benson was born in Kenya and as
a child became homeless and
destitute and lived on the street
with his siblings until he was
taken in by a generous family,
cared for and educated.
9. As an adult,
Benson became
a pastor and
spent several
years in the
Gospel
Ministry.
10. During this time he could see the
growing numbers of orphans
caused by the HIV/AIDS
pandemic, disease and tribal
warfare.
11. He would see
these children on
the street begging.
Some lived at the
garbage bins
scavenging for
scraps of food.
12.
13. Others were found
sniffing glue, as a
way to kill hunger
pains. Many
started prostitution
at 10 years of
age. Others turned
into pick-pockets
and thieves.
14.
15. As an adult Benson felt
compelled to repay the
generosity of his foster family by
‘paying it forward’.
16. In 2003, with one child of their
own and one adopted, Benson
and Florence founded the
Fiwagoh Mission Orphanage and
visited the villages in search of
orphaned children.
17. They decided to
take a few of
these children
into their rented
home and
generously share
all they could.
53. The Fiwagoh Motto is to:
Train, educate and discipline
children to better the future
generations.
54. “Train up a
child in the
way he should
go; and when
he is old he
will not depart
from it”
(Proverbs
22:6)
55. Despite all this progress Benson
and Florence had bigger plans.
They wanted to take in more
children, there were so many
more in desperate need, but
there just wasn’t space!
69. By this time they had 120 children with
plans to take in more.
70. On 20 December 2009 Benson, Florence and
their very large family proudly moved into
their new premises.
71. By this time they had 120 children with
plans to take in more.
moving in photo
72. They were excited about their
new home but there was so much
they didn’t have. They lacked a lot
of very basic furniture and
equipment making it difficult to
do the simplest of tasks.
73. Fortunately, in December 2008, 17 enthusiastic
volunteers travelled from Australia to Fiwagoh.
They called themselves ‘Caring Hands in Kenya’.
74. They were delighted to deliver some
funds raised by members of the group
to finance the building of some new
bunk beds…
90. They found that
the children,
without
exception, are
humble, well-
mannered,
disciplined and
eager to help…
91. …and they have a love of learning, hungry for
knowledge and skills.
92. They were also
impressed by
Benson and
Florence’s
unwavering
Christian faith,
their high energy
and their gentle,
unassuming ways.
Photo of Benson and
Florence
93. They were also very aware of a
desperate need for equipment
and supplies to make caring for
the children a little easier.
94. When they returned home
Janine, Kim, Julie and Tony and
their families vowed to send a
shipping container from
Brisbane.
165. …which contrasts with the human
suffering and living conditions.
Insert photo from village
166. Many live in
very basic
shelters with
the reality of
long periods
without food,
surrounded by
disease, with an
outlook of
premature
death.
167. As we know, often children are
orphaned and left to fend for
themselves.
168. Just imagine then,
that one such child,
who was given a
chance, could rise
from the depths of
despair and acquire
the skills and
determination to fulfil
a dream as big as
Benson’s.
Photo Benson
169. And now he and
Florence are
giving the same
chance to 134
children!
Just imagine the
possibilities!
170. One of the
aims of my
trip was to
deliver news
of the
difference
the
container
made.
172. …and I was
thanked over
and over and
asked to pass
on this
gratitude to
everyone
concerned.
173. Secondly, we can
rest assured that
nothing is wasted!
You have to see
the way the
children delicately
sharpen their
pencil and
carefully stow it
each day!
174. Also, the children
have an amazing
ability to learn.
Nahashon has
taught himself to
play the piano in
the three months
since the
container
arrived!
175. Beauty found a
book in the
container on the
topic of herbal
medicine. He is
already growing
herbs and
learning all he can
to help sick
children!
176. Often, the children are trained to be the
‘resident expert’. Here, Nahashon is
learning to use the new photocopier.
177. Benson is a
source of great
support to so
many, continually
giving whatever
he can spare to
those outside the
orphanage.
178. The spirit of this man has to be
experienced to be believed and a
number of his children are just
like him!
179. For example, one
day Joshua, a 17
year old boy from
Fiwagoh, asked
Benson if he could
give away a
wheelchair from
the container.
180. We travelled to the village and
found the young lad living on the
street, literally. His name is
Augustine. He is an orphan and
he cannot walk.
190. One day soon after, a car drove
up the driveway and out stepped
an organic horticulturalist.
191. Her name is
Peris and she
was looking
to buy land to
develop a
showcase
garden.
192. I assured her that she would
not have to buy land for such
a garden and she would have
134 very willing helpers to
make her dream, and ours, a
reality!
198. In conclusion, the
main message
that I would like
to deliver is that
Fiwagoh Mission
Orphanage is an
amazing cause.
199. Every item sent and every
dollar donated is appreciated
and used to it’s very best
potential. There is no waste
and there are no administration
fees.
205. The children from Fiwagoh
would like to say a special
thank you to their child
sponsors. Without you this
work would not be possible.
206. Thank you also to
Lena and Mario Clerc in
Switzerland for being long-term
Fiwagoh supporters.
207. And everyone who has ever
supported Fiwagoh. Your
contributions both large and
small have been greatly
appreciated and have enabled
this work to continue.
208. In Australia, thank you to the
Caring Hands in Kenya group
for volunteering at Fiwagoh
and bringing home their
inspiration!
209. Special thanks to
Janine and Kim Barden,
Julie and Tony Marini,
Emma Davidson and
Trent Clulow for your
commitment to Fiwagoh and
for initiating the container
project.
210. And thank you also to
Michael and Kelly Letters for
your ongoing support of
Fiwagoh.
211. To Dave and Margaret Phillips,
thanks for all your helpful
advice, encouragement and
practical support.
212. And to Chris and Virginia
Anderson, thank you for
sharing your knowledge and
experience with us.
213. Susie Scoles, thank you for
all your hard work in
transporting, packing and
documenting … and
Michael Sly, thank you for
the ‘ute’!
214. Thanks also to Jacey Young
for throwing herself, her
family and her home into
this project and giving it
momentum.
215. And especially to Sue Healy.
Without your compassion
for the children and drive to
make a difference none of
this would have happened.
216. Lastly, a very warm thank you
to all that helped make this
shipping container dream a
reality…
217. Mt Alvernia College for donating the
computers, and
Leo Bonfiglio for rebuilding them.
Barb Tealby for sewing all the sleeping
bags.
Geebung State School for donating the
chairs.
Debbie Birthisel and Holy Cross School for
all the handmade dolls and bags.
Irena Poed and Marie Trounce and team
for the handmade blankets and other items.
Samford State School for the toiletries and
teddies.
Edsco - Education Supply Company for
school stationery.
Annie Gerloff for the piano.
Charles and Fay for the Rotary Hoe
The Lismore Group for the photocopier and
paper.
Terry Healy for the postman motor bikes.
Lisa Tasker for the fridge.
Marie Girvan for the gardening equipment
and handmade clothes.
218. Those who accepted, sorted and packed donations
of goods from their community…
Arleen Grey – Lutwyche Windsor Kindy
Di Huyssen
Grace Marini
Jane Hellyer
Jenny Flanagan
Keryn Hogan
Mercedes Logan – Samford Valley Steiner School
Pam McGill
Penny Costello
Ruth Campbell – Pine Rivers Yoga
Sophie Arnold
Vikki Kane
Those who gave cash donations…
Adrian and Marcia Contant
Cameron Matthews
Charlie Yarrow
Cliff and Joy Darko
David Bowden
Doreen Waldron
Evan Sadler
Helen, Daria and Morgan Healy
Ida Beschevischiki
Irene and Jim Jesnoeski
John Wilks
Karen Day
Karen Tucker
Kath Healy
Kevin Whyte
Lillian Grillmeier
Lorna Moorhead
Marie Shaughnessy
Maurice and Margaret Young
Mrs Puie
Ned and Jill Matthews
Ruth and Calum Campbell
Sandra Kindler
Stanthorpe Pathfinder Club
The Gray Family
The Howard Family
The Lismore Team
Wyn Freshwater
Yucy Lam
219. The Stanthorpe Baby Bundles team:
Action Graphics
Brooke Pellegrino
Esse Contarino
Doreen Shardlow
Ian Prescott
Irene Suchanek
Irma Kuehnemann
Jeanette Adams
Karen Steinhardt
Kelly Newlyn
Lorna Moorehead
Marg McNeil
Maureen Gillespie
Melissa Stanko
Mrs Drinkwater
Robyn Karalius
Val Henney
Vicky and Ted Lewandowski
Wanda Kuzniarski
Wyn Freshwater
Yvonne Piper
220. The container packing team…
Alby Piper
Angie Davidson
Brandon Young
Christoper Drieberg
David Young
Emma Davidson
Glynn Rence
Hayley Davidson
Helen McKenzie
Jacey Young
Janine Barden
Julie Marini
Kelly Pritchard
Kim Barden
Keryn Hogan
Lilliann Drieberg
Luke Reardon
Megan Clarke
Michael Letters
Miranda Woodland
Mitchell Young
Nathan Reardon
Rebecca Ritchie
Suzanne Healy
Susie Scoles
Tony Marini
Trent Clulow
Yvonne Piper
221. And those who contributed other goods…
Alana Lemura
Alby and Yvonne Piper
Alf and Rose Grasso
Alice Wheelan & The Childers Knitting Team
Alison and Jason Boyd
Alyson Allen
Angie Davidson
Anne, Michael and Jasmine Grey
Barbara Tailford
Betty Applegate
Cal and Karen Smith – Andersen’s Ceramics
Carolyn Moxham
Cassy Krushna
Catherine Ebrington
Charlotte Woolley
Cynthia Turner
Dawn Thyer
Deb and Clayton Tronc
Debbie Beveridge
Debbie Wilmot
Deborah Hardy
Diane Baker and Narelle
Diana Sunderland
Eddy Debruyn
Elliot Hawkins
Elspeth and Chuck Kehoe
Gayle Marshall
Fern Matthews
Harriet Walsh
Heather Liddall
Helen and George
Helen Napier
Helen Wilkinson
Herman and Pam Odijk
Ian and Gloria
Irene
Janine Rolph
Jenny and Grant Parker
Jim Samios
Joanne Stuhmeke
John and Barbara Gri
John Wilks
Judy Whitfield
Julia Bennett
Julie Christensen
Julie Robins
Juliette Poole
Karen Tucker
Laurie and John Morrison
Lily Moegelberg
Lions Club – Aspley
Linda Morrison
Lorna Moorehead
Luciano and Franca Favero
Lucy and Glynn Harnell
Lyn Chilton
Lynne Hardie
Mark Cameron - Qantas
Megan Clarke
Michelle Brown and Ili Tulloch – 4ZZZ
Michelle Trost
Mieke and Evan Van Ravensburg
Mike and Julie Clahsen
Narelle Darley
Nick and Allison – Endeavour Centre
Owen and Rita O’Brien
Patricia Rigby
Peter and Margaret – Wesley Op Shop
Peter and Pia Pugno
Peter Walker – All Bikes Logan City
Phillip Forshaw – AutoBarn Logan City
Rachel Dean
Robyn Thorne
Russell and Katrina Smith
Shirley Hill
Steve and Bernie Maguire
Sue Clulow
Susanne and Bruce Perey
Suzanne and Peter Davies
Svetlana and Howard Wilmot
Tarmie Bryan
Tom Turner
Tony and Robyn McNee
Tony Poutsma
Ula Cable
Wendy Abernethy
and
so many more that
we have not yet met!
222. Slide show written and produced by
Jacey Young
DVD production by
Tom Bennett
Artwork by
Kirsten Young
Photography by
Emma Davidson
Janine Barden
Julie Marini
Lena Clerc
Miranda Woodland
Suzanne Healy
Tabby Krznar-Radovanovic
Trent Clulow
