Mansfield Christian alumnus runs orphanage in Africa

MANSFIELD - When Jon and Ashley Barchus sold everything and moved to Sakete, Benin in West Africa in 2010, they committed to helping run an orphanage for two years. 

They had a desire to adopt one child but decided they felt called to go and be parents to all the kids they had met on previous trips to the country, which is just west of Nigeria. 

"We went back and forth twice a year, and we really felt like we should do more than show up occasionally," Ashley said. "They really needed like parent figures and people that were there full time. They were going to school and being fed, but we wanted to give them more than just that."

But six months into their new life abroad, the director of the orphanage left for another job and the Barchuses found themselves taking over the orphanage, Arbre de Vie, which means "tree of life" in French.

Now, the Barchuses take care of about 22 orphans and manage sponsorships to help other needy children in the area.

With financial support from their church in Beavercreek, they rebuilt the orphanage to make it more habitable. They've also started programs to provide baby formula for nearly 50 malnourished babies and provide basic medical care for the orphans and babies, and they run a camp for area children. 

Jon, a registered nurse, is the executive director of Arbre de Vie, and Ashley is the director of the orphanage and of social assistance.

They're also in the process of adopting two of the children from the orphanage, 14-year-old Alice and 2-year-old Codjo. 

Adoption is something the Barchuses have always wanted to do. 

"We feel like if everybody would adopt that has the ability, a lot more kids would have forever homes," Jon said. 

Originally from Crestline, Jon graduated from Mansfield Christian School in 2000. He and Ashley, who is from Beavercreek, met in college at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. 

The Barchuses will share their story during a benefit 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6 in the multi-purpose room at Mansfield Christian School. The benefit will help raise money for Tree of Life USA, the couple's American nonprofit to support Arbre de Vie.

Tree of Life helps cover costs for things like medical emergencies or caring for kids who don't yet have sponsors. 

The benefit will include a silent auction and a live pie and dessert auction. Among the items that have been donated are a whole hog with processing fees also donated, Cleveland Cavaliers tickets and passes for Snow Trails, Mohican Adventures and African Safari Wildlife Park.

Also available will be a traditional African drum and artisan items from Benin, including items sewn by one of the girls the Barchuses have been helping at the orphanage. The teen had run away from home to avoid a forced marriage, and Arbre de Vie helped her learn to read and sew so she could become a seamstress. 

Tina Smith of Bucyrus, who organized the benefit, has visited Benin twice to help at the orphanage. Said she hopes the Mansfield event will raise money for Tree of Life, will provide encouragement for the Barchuses and will remind people of the good in the world.

"To me, they are just genuine people who are trying to make a difference in the world, and I admire that," Smith said. "I admire what they do, and anything I can do to help keep things going, I will do."

For more information about Tree of Life, visit treeoflifeusa.org. More information about the benefit can be found on the Facebook event page "Benefit for Benin - Mansfield, OH."

cmcnaull@gannett.com

419-521-7220

Twitter: @courtneymcnaull