The History of Open Arms

What if there was a way to raise up orphaned children in third world countries to reach their full potential so that they might become future leaders in government, business, medicine and ministry and change their countries? This was the question that began to form in the hearts and minds of David and Rachel Gallagher while on a trip to Kenya in 2002.  At the time, Rachel was working as a pediatric intensive care nurse, having served on the front lines of third world poverty while working with Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India.  David was putting together large outreach festivals for the Luis Palau Association in California and Arizona.

In preparation for the Kenya trip, the Gallaghers assembled an 18 person team of medical professionals, children's workers, pastors, and volunteers.  It was to be their first ever joint medical/ministry trip. Their destination was the city of Eldoret in the western part of the country.  What happened over the next several weeks was nothing short of amazing. The medical team treated more than 400 orphaned children for malaria, typhoid, upper respiratory infections, ringworm, and other infections.  They received so many donated medical supplies that they were able to leave behind enough to last the local doctor an entire year.  The children's team visited ten schools in five days and over 500 children experienced the love of Jesus.  More than 5,000 people attended the outdoor festival each night. Nearly 600 received Jesus during the event and more than 3,900 people received Jesus into their lives during the two weeks following the outreach.

Touched by the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the children in Kenya and motivated by their own conviction that these children could move mountains if given the chance, David and Rachel began to form a vision for what would later become Open Arms International.  They developed an idea to create secure and productive “Village Communities” where kids, orphaned by aids, civil war, disease and other tragic circumstances would be given an opportunity to reach their full potential, encouraged to pursue their dreams and trained to make those dreams a reality.  These villages would raise up new generations of leaders equipped to confront the difficult issues facing their people and to effect lasting change within their countries.  The first Village would be in Eldoret, Kenya.  One year later, in partnership with their good friends in England, Dr. John and Rosemary Lancaster, David and Rachel co-founded Open Arms International.

Progress of the Dream

2002

David and Rachel Gallagher visit Eldoret, Kenya - the dream was born.

2003

Open Arms International founded in November

2004

First mission trips - Uganda, Rwanda, and Bulgaria - include medical clinics, children’s ministry, pastors’ conferences,  and evangelism

2005

• First team to Eldoret
• First westerners ever allowed in Eldoret’s prison
• Tsunami relief team to India
• Established partnerships with ALMA & Orphans Unlimited in Mozambique

2006

• Received NGO status in Kenya (equivalent to U.S. non-profit organization)
• Established health advocacy programs in India & Rwanda.

2007

• Purchased 52 acres near Eldoret, future home of Open Arms Village
• First Soul Safari team to Kenya & Israel & dedication of the land for Open Arms Village

2008

• Received Kenyan governmental approval to begin an orphanage
• Received 18 orphaned or abandoned children & housed them in existing buildings on the property
• Established the feeding program for 100 children in the Kambi Teso slum of Eldoret, Kenya

2009

• Received 11 more orphans including 2 infants
• Began construction of children’s family homes
• Began Open Arms Pre-School

2010

• Open Arms Academy opened for pre-school through fifth grade
• Received 18 more orphaned children
• Children were moved into the newly constructed family homes
• Guest Houses built for western volunteers and visitors
• Construction of two more children’s homes completed

2011

• Opened the newly constructed Baby Home for infants
• Added 17 more orphaned children, including 10
  infants, completely filling the new Baby Home
• Completed construction of a 5^thchildren's home
• Constructing a 6^th children's home
• Built a playground at Open Arms Village

and the Dream continues . . .