When confronted with the needs of countless children suffering from AIDS, poverty and the death of parents, what can one do? Isn't the need to large and overwhelming to address? Wouldn't it require too much time, energy and resources to reach out to such a helpless multitude of little ones? Not according to Stephen and Beatrice Njau, founders of El Shaddai Children's Home.

Over breakfast one morning, I overheard a conversation about orphans in Kenya. Inquiring further I met Mary and learned that she was volunteering at a children's home. As she described the work of El Shaddai, it sounded like the kind of place that we would want to film. Touching base with Stephen over the phone, we scheduled a time to visit upon our return to Kenya.

Alighting in Githange, we grabbed a soda and then set off in the direction that the locals pointed us. Children's clothing lined the fences and the sound of children playing gave the spot away. We were immediately surrounded by curious and excited little ones, all eager to get close and shake our hands. I was immediately struck by the beauty and joy of these wonderful little children. Stephen welcomed us warmly, leading us into a small room that served as a reception area. Over a cup of tea, he described to us how El Shaddai got started.

Back in 1998, Stephen and his wife, Beatrice, sensed a call from God to start a home for orphaned children. Being committed Christians, they both left their jobs and launched into full time ministry. Stephen served as a pastor for several years but the call to care for orphans remained on their hearts. In 2002, they finally left pastoral work and brought the first eleven children into their home in order to care for them. They have since moved into a larger facility that they rent to accommodate the 70 children under their care. With many more children in need of help, they hope to acquire land and build their own place to respond to the need.

As we talked, the three youngest children were brought in to see us. Mercy and Milcah were two adorable one year-old girls. Their little boy, Gibson, was only 11 months old and the youngest child at El Shaddai. The three of them adored Stephen and his wife, laughing at their games and soaking in the attention when they could sit on their laps.

Mercy's father died of AIDS and while her mother was dying, she managed to arrange for her to go the Children's Home. She died one month later, leaving precious little Mercy an orphan. Milcah was abandoned

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