The Beginning

In 2005, Jana O’Guin visited Kitale on a mission trip and was astonished by its abject poverty and the many street children begging for food and sniffing glue to self-anesthetize from the cold and pangs of hunger.

The mission team visited a men’s prison to deliver mosquito nets, basic necessities, put on a concert and share a message of Christ. Afterwards, Jana learned there was a women’s prison just on the other side of the wall but prison officials had “forgot” about them.  These forgotten women tugged on Jana’s heart and she asked to visit them.

Inside the women’s prison, Jana discovered 75 women and 18 children living within its walls. Each woman could have one child with her until the child turned four years old. Yes, children are in prison!

Jana was allowed to speak with the women, shake hands, and even give some hugs.   Most of the children were scared of her white skin since they had never seen a white person before.  Many screamed if Jana got too close. However, one little boy about five months old, Augustine, allowed her to hold him as he played with her long hair.  A bond was formed.  Sadly, Augustine had been born in prison!

When prison children reach four years in age, they must leave.  Augustine was sent to stay with reluctant relatives.  Jana and her husband, Michael, learned that Augustine was severely malnourished and very sick.  They intervened and arranged for him to be taken to the hospital for life saving treatment and then to live in a group home and attend a Christian school.

Jana and Michael discovered that Augustine had a sister who was one year older.  Elizabeth’s “job” was taking care of her uncle’s house, including fetching firewood to cook with and toting water from the river, while her own basic needs of food, medical care and education were being ignored.  Jana and Michael arranged for Elizabeth to join Augustine in the group home and attend school.

Jana recognized the importance of being in a family, so she found a family to take in the children and raise as their own.  From these humble beginnings, the ministry has grown into what it is today.​

The Inspiration

Augustine and Elizabeth’s mother, Nolega, was released from prison after serving 15 years.  She came to know the Lord in prison as she saw how her prayers were answered in saving her children.  She became the worship leader in prison and trained in salon work and tailoring.

When released from prison, Nolega had no place to call home, nowhere to sleep or even means to get food. She (and her children) had been rejected by her family because she had been in prison.

She had a very strong desire to serve the Lord. Some well wishers gave her a place to sleep and she got a job waiting tables in a small restaurant. She used what little money she earned to pay school fees for her older children that could not attend high school due to lack of school fees.

After watching her make good choices under very difficult circumstances, Jana decided to offer her some help in getting started in a new life in a world that had changed so much during her time in prison. She had the skills to start her own shop where she could have a salon and tailoring business. She and Jana located a place and Jana paid 6 months rent in advance ($30 per month) and bought her a few supplies to get started, a total of about $300. It gave Nolega the step up that she needed and she was able to create a successful business that provided for her and she was able to reconnect with her children and support them as well.

Jana realized that there were likely many other Kenyan women in the similar situation as Nolega and she was the inspiration for starting Building Families For Tomorrow. Today, Nolega is the Matron at BFFT, overseeing the children who’s mothers are currently in prison.