Handover of 850 Chania Building
The 850 Chania Building standing is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and goodness as come to pass for CMS-Africa. Speaking at the handover ceremony, the chief gust Prof Timothy Wachira observed that the building is excellent and testifies to the excellent God.
He commented the constructors and the investors for keeping within budget in realizing such a magnificent building. This is a testimony of harmony between the contractors and the clients in this project. Just like a body has so many systems and parts working in harmony to keep the body moving, the building is a testimony of the cohesion and harmony that existed between the various facets of this project,” asserted Prof Wachira.
The completeness of this building is joy to many: the contractors, CMS-Africa and her investors. Hence the gathering at the handover was demonstrative of the joy of the Lord at the Lords table at the accomplishment of the great assignment. His prayer and wish was that the building enhances in a bigger way the purposes and missions of CMS-Africa and in so doing contribute to the bigger purpose of God of redeeming mankind from destruction.
The Main Contractor Rabdiya Construction finally handed over the building to the SPV formed between CMS-Africa and the investors after completing his work on June 30th 2018.
The 13th floors storey house is dream come true for CMS-Africa International Director Rev. Dr. Denis Tongoi who 10 years ago embarked on a vision of ensuring sustainability of mission’s work from Africa to the rest of the world. Rev. Dr. Tongoi had been bequeathed a piece of land in the prime areas of Yaya Centre and his desire was to develop it into a commercial building that could assure CMS-Africa an income stream for many years to come.
IN 2012, CMS-Africa demolisged the 2 story building that was on that plot and conducted a ground breaking ceremony that was flagged off by the then Anglican Archbishop Eliud Wabukala. This was an act of faith in anticipation of finances become available for the work to progress. However, things were never to be as funds delayed and finally the work started in June 2016 when Trustone Impact Investment came on board.
Rev. Dr. Tongoi described the standing building as miracle that is a result Faith, Believe and Trust. It has taken faith and in cases where some disbelieved, those who trusted with us that our God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all than we can imagine and ask.
The fact that this particular project has succeeded, it has become a role model for other Christian Organisations like the Kenya Students Christian Fellowship.
Grant Smith from Briken Kenya who was the liaison between CMS-Africa and Trustone says that their joy is to help Christian Organizations realize projects that guarantee them some good sources of income. We do this as part of the gifting that the Lord God has given to advance God’s Kingdom.
Throughout the project, Grant observed that there were a number of adjustments including the demand from National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) that the structure be 6 meters from the River banks. This led to a structural design changes that resulted into an even better design and end product that is better than what had been conceived earlier. Ewe now have a building garden space toward the river and terraces on the 5th floor which gives additional utilizable spaces.
The 850 Chania Project engaged 16th interns under the apprenticeship programme that is becoming a major plunk in their initiatives.
Dan Maina who was the Project Architect was full of gratitude to God almighty for helping him to accomplish such a huge project of big magnitude.
Neil Sandy from Trustone Impact Investment (now Wellers Impact) said that the building that now stands tall is not about investments but the Kingdom of God. “The investors raised funds not just to invest and make a profit out of it but to advance God’s Kingdom,” said Neil who observed that the success of this project has led to the formation of another investment company by the Name, Weller’s Impact that is keen to help more Christian Oragnisation make a lasting investment into their future sustainability.
Having implemented this project in Kenya where Corruption index is so high, Neil commented the whole project team for upholding a NO Corruption approach throughout the project.
He thanked those who were involved in the project team for displaying great talent and expertise that has led to the end product being a magnificent building.
The handover ceremony was full of pride and glamor with speaker after the other lauding cordial relations that existed between the contractors. Those who had been strict and keen to detail asked for forgiveness from those who felt pushed a bit but again thanked them for their cooperation that has led to a better building to be released.
CMS-AFRICA is planning a partner’s event in October 2018 where all her partners and the people who have supported this project through the footprints campaign will be treated to a feast.