Meet Bender

Bender was brought to the orphanage in 2013, when he was just 9 years old. He does not remember who his biological father was, and his mother remarried a few years after Bender joined the orphanage. Bender's mother, Madam Canas, had five children with her new husband. Those five children now reside at the orphanage. Madam Canas was later hired as our daytime cook at the orphanage and her husband, Mr. Canas helps with the animals and upkeep of the property. Throughout Bender's years at the orphanage he has learned many valuable life skills and enjoys learning from our volunteers. Bender has dreams of becoming an architect. While attending University he would like to continue his hobby of painting. He plans to continue making coconut items to self sustain after graduating from the orphanage. 

Meet Berclay

Berclay was in the 8th grade when his parents divorced in 2018. He is one of six sons in the family, and has five sisters.  His father abandoned the family and the mother was left to care for the children. It wasn't long before Berclay's mother dropped him and his brother, Widely, off at their older brother's house. Unfortunately, the older brother had three children of his own to care for. The brother decided it would be best to bring Berclay and his younger brother Widely to Emmanuel Children's Home where we welcomed them with open arms in 2019. Over the years, Berclay has worked hard to maintain good grades and is top in his class. Berclay loves electricity and would like to become an electrical engineer. Within the next ten years he has goals to become an entrepreneur and be involved in business. 

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How Coconut Creations Started

It all started years ago when Bender began making coconut shell necklaces for our mission teams. He would carve a small piece of coconut shell, sand it, apply a clear coat and write each missionaries name on it. He would tie it on what ever kind of string he could find and gift it to each visitor as they arrived. It was a small gesture that not only showed Bender's talents, but also his compassion for others. 

Bender has always been an excellent artist, another God given talent of his. In 2022, a missionary requested a portrait painting of one of the children. After watching him spend hours and long nights on one painting, she wanted to pay him for his efforts. 

That is when the idea was born that he could sell his paintings to raise money for his dream of attending college. Over a course of a week he dedicated all his free time to painting. As soon as he was finished with one, we would share it with our friends, family and supporters with hopes to raise money for his dream of attending college. This inspired the other children to start making crafts to sell as well. Berclay began experimenting with coconut shells. Bender got involved and together they came up with the idea of creating bowls, cups, hair clips, decorations and keepsakes from coconut shells. We brought all their masterpieces back to the States where we advocated for their talents and aspirations. 

These boys have been true role models to their younger siblings at the orphanage by always getting excellent grades, always volunteering to help, leading worship services in school and church, and the list goes on. We stand by these young men and want to support their dreams of attending college. Bender and Berclay are in their final year of schooling and will be graduating in 2024. Bender would like to be an architect and Berclay is interested in pursuing electrical engineering. Through encouragement, reassurance and faith, the boys have decided to start Coconut Creations back up again. We will continue to add creations as they arrive in the U.S. Help us show love and support for these boys by purchasing one of their creations below. All proceeds will given to Bender and Berclay to use after graduation. 

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