Progress in Naivasha, Thanks to Grace Race

Orphans now have a comfortable place to rest their heads at night thanks to the participants of the Grace Race, an annual race in town that helps raise money for Kenyan children.

The , which is held every fall, came as a result of a trip to Naivasha, Kenya, lead by Pastor Mike Lynch. During that trip, Lynch and Race President John Feehrer saw a poverty-stricken village and decided to help build an orphanage. The orphanage houses many kids who have lost their parents to AIDS.

In the seven years that the event has been held, The Grace Race Fund has raised over $167,000.

Throughout that time, the money has allowed the organizers to purchase five acres and drill and install a well for water. The group has also installed a fence around the area, electrical infrastructure, and built the adminstrative and dormitory wings to house 100 orphans ranging in age from 5 to 18.

"Over the past year we are happy to say that we have completed the dorms for the orphanage," said Feehrer. "We are now in the process of constructing the school for the children."

The school being built will provide the children with primary and secondary instruction as well as vocational instruction for the older children.

"The vocational school will give these kids important life sustaining skills," Feehrer said. "They will be able to learn a variety of things such as carpentry, metal work, electrical work, auto-mechanics, hair dressing as well as many other skills."

The upcomming Grace Race will be held on Saturday, Oct. 1. You can register online until Sept. 30 at 6 a.m. You can also register on race day beginning at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee is $20 through September 17, and $25 after.

The people of Chelmsford are continuing to help out the cause by sending in donations, particularly in the summer months and in the fall before the race, according to Feehrer.

The organization is also open to any other fundraising ideas that residents may have to raise money and awareness for orpanage in Naivasha.

Donations for the Grace Race Fund are being accepted throughout the year. People can donate online at: www.gracerace.org or checks can be sent to:

The Grace Race Fund

c/o The Grace Race Fund

275 Billerica Rd., Chelmsford MA 01824

"The money we have raised from the race and donations from the community has helped a lot," said Feehrer. "I would like to thank the Chelmsford Community for their continuing support."