GETHSEMANE INTERNATIONAL INC

Gethsemane International aims to "Raise Christian Men & Women Around the World" by rescuing orphans, largely as a result of HIV/AIDS, from extreme poverty or abuse and providing education opportunities and a home for each child. Our goal is to grow adults who are capable of breaking the cycle of poverty and are equipped to spread the truth of Jesus Christ in their communities. To achieve this goal, we have established a family environment - complete with loving parents, siblings, healthy lifestyles, medical care, and Christian education - modeled after the example of a Biblical family.

All of Gethsemane's strategies are evaluated and filtered through Biblical principles about discipleship and family. We have two main strategies that lead to the accomplishment of our mission. Frist, Home Parents: we specifically establish a godly husband and wife as the home parents for our children's homes. As the principle influence in the lives of children, the parents are a crucial instrument of demonstrating Christ's love, healing, understanding, and acceptance to children who have so many scars. Having both a Christian mother and a father will allow Gethsemane's children to heal emotional, mentally, and spiritually. Second, Education: as an organization, we understand that to prepare the children we rescue for a successful and independent adulthood, education is vital. We have established a Christian school that not only focuses on critical thinking, logic, and academics but also on Christian characters and Bible teaching. Gethsemane specifically engages Christian teachers who also act as influences and examples for the children of Gethsemane which will reinforce the teaching of the Home Parents.

Gethsemane has over a decade of experience working with children and staff in Kenya, Africa. Other strengths include a large network of loyal supporters (a retention rate of 70%) who believe in our mission. Our growing board of directors actively advise, participate and promote Gethsemane's mission and programs. Dedicated missionaries and volunteers serve at a high level of professionalism without pay in order to expand our fundraising reach and offer support on the ground at our facilities in Kenya enhancing our capabilities.

Since Gethsemane's beginning in 2003, we have tripled the number of children we have rescued from extreme poverty and abuse. Over 95% of the adults who have graduated from our children's homes are successfully ending the cycle of poverty by furthering their careers and continuing a Christian lifestyle. We have initiated five programs to involve our supporters in the ministry of Gethsemane. Our Mission program, established in 2009, has continued annually. Our Sponsor program, the primary source of donations, is reached 100% capacity in 2013 and will soon be expanded. Our Intern program, also established in 2009, has nearly tripled in capacity and over 16 interns have worked in both Africa and the U.S. What we have not accomplished so far is launching our Advocate program to recruit and offer support resources to full-time missionaries and volunteers. Also, we hope to launch our Partner program to specifically target churches as monetary partners and potential Mission program participants. Gethsemane also hopes to double the number of children's homes and therefore the number of children rescued.