International Connections – Cory Wawanaca, Bolivian Orphanage
Messiah UMC in Plymouth has a history of serving locally and internationally. Messiah and Excelsior UMC’s were involved with the initial construction of the Kory Wawanaca, Bolivia Children’s Home in Tacachia, Bolivia since 2005 and have continued to be involved as the home expanded. The children’s home is a project recognized by the General Board of Global Ministries, and provides a loving home for orphaned and abandoned children.
Children are separated into two homes, younger children ages 3 to 10 are in the rural area of Tacachia and the youth home for seventh graders through seniors in high school is located on the outskirts of La Paz. In the rural home in Tacachia children are integrated into part of the family which is centered in and faith and in love. Each child becomes a part of the home’s routine and participates in all aspects of the home from cooking, baking bread, caring for farm animals, tending to crops, maintaining a clean home and washing clothes. They attend the community school and receive academic and psychological support at the home. The urban home focuses on education and technical training. They continue to receive educational and psychological support and are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities.
Messiah has sponsored or co-sponsored mission trips to serve at Kory Wawanaca typically every other year. There are construction projects as well as many opportunities to interact in the daily lives of the children. We typically plan some special activities for the children and staff on Sunday afternoon. Most trips have included both youth and adults, the next trip is scheduled June 8-18, 2015. Opportunities are also available for people to sponsor one of the children for $35 a month.
Children all over the world are left without a family and without a home, KoryWawanaca is our way of taking a small step towards a better today and a brighter tomorrow for these children. Messiah’s mission statement is “we are the hands and feet of Christ” participants in the mission trip put those words into action.
We got started by:
-Inviting the Director of the Children’s Home, Carrie Brown, to Messiah to develop initial support and feedback about the plan for the home.
-The initial recruitment of participants for the mission trip to Bolivia to assist in the construction of the home from both Messiah and Excelsior congregations.
-Reporting back to the congregations; meeting with groups within the church, newsletter article, and photos of the construction.
For information contact Linda Seaton at763-550-1496 or
Kory Wawanaca Children’s Home can also be found on facebook and at