ICC History
In 1976 a terrible earthquake devastated much of Guatemala City. Thousands died, and many children were left homeless. Leaders of Seventh-day Adventist Mission in Guatemala quickly went into action.
The Union President of the Adventist work in Central America, contacted Elder Kenneth and Mrs. Alcyon Fleck. The Flecks had spent many years serving in Central America, And Alcyon had long expressed a desire to find a way of helping the many orphan children in those countries.
The Union President told the Flecks that some start-up money for orphan relief had just been pledged from a Christian group of volunteer physicians from Southern Califonia should the Flecks be interested in starting an orphanage in Guatemala.
After giving the matter a lot prayer, Ken and Alcyon decided to Guatemala and evaluate the possibilities. There were so many lonely children and they felt that they could not leave them there with no hope for the future. The flecks returned to their home in Oregon determined to do what they could, by the grace of God, for those children. Other Christian friends rallied with the Flecks and pledged to support a program for the orphans. Meanwhile, the Adventist church granted Pastor Fleck early retirement. The flecks then dedicated themselves to helping orphaned and abandoned children on a completely volunteer basis.
In 1978, International Children’s Care was founded as the administrative link between volunteers in America and the orphan children. The ICC board of trustees asked the Flecks to administer the new charity.
From the start, Alcyon was determined that the orphans should receive a lot of love and individual attention, along the guidelines outlined by Mrs. E.G. White. So when the first orphanage was started in Guatemala, ten cottage homes were built to house the children. Christian house parents were brought in for each cottage, so that each home became a family unit with 10-12 children and a national mother and father. The children thrived in this loving environment, and in 1983 ICC started another “Country Home Campus” in the Dominican Republic. Alcyon believes that every child needs the security of a home. The country home provides an environment very similar to a natural home. Also, many of the children have been placed for adoption in Christian homes.
The many people who give their time, talent and money through ICC are helping hundreds of desperate needy children in over 17 different countries around the world, ICC is expanding to help as many children as possible.
