In order to truly build up a local township into a thriving self-sufficient community, it is necessary not only to meet the short term needs of adults, but to educate and empower the next generation. Goshen’s initial efforts through the Kids Learning Center have begun to affect the children of Kurland more positively than we could have hoped. The many who demonstrate positive and teachable attitudes are being blessed with continual biblical teaching as well as an education that will enable them to exceed the accomplishments of their parents. It is truly amazing how God can enable a family to survive and even thrive spiritually in the midst of abject poverty. These orphans are far from a negligible minority, indeed, as estimates indicate there will be over 3 million orphans in South Africa alone by 2010. For South Africa and Africa as a whole to be able to avoid the downward spiral into utter disaster, the Church must create and support massive efforts to rescue, evangelize and educate the orphans of AIDS and warfare.

Obviously it is impossible for an organization to fully compensate for all of the challenges that come with growing up in a developing nation without parents. The staff of Goshen International understands that these children’s needs are perpetual, and will not go away with short-term intervention; however, Goshen wants to continue to create concrete and biblical plans for systematically addressing those needs for their long-term well-being. Ultimately, what Goshen is striving to do is provide children and communities which are stuck in a cycle of poverty and disease with an opportunity for lasting success and improvement.