It's Been and Incredible Week The team has been in Kenya for almost a week. Usually our volunteers are over the age of 18. This time though, 7 out of the 9 in this group are under the age of 18. I was a senior in high school when I traveled
I Witnessed So Much Joy and Happiness On Sunday I gave gift bags to the children in our community. They haven't received many gifts in their lives. Most of their belongings fit inside a small metal trunk. When I've handed out items before, it's usually things like soccer balls and coloring
There Have Been So Many Beautiful Moments The last time I saw these girls they were in primary school. More than two years later, I arrived to find them in their second year of high school. I didn't expect time to stand still while I was away, but it still has been
In 2013 a volunteer group traveled to Kenya to help fund and construct a greenhouse at Rapha Community Center. For many years that greenhouse served our community well. It allowed us to grow tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables which are not easily grown in our area. The new variety of food helped us
The pictures in the top row are from the very first day of school at Rapha Secondary School. In the beginning, we had more desks than students, and our classrooms were temporary structures that were hardly conducive to learning. It was a humble beginning, but hard work, determination and the generosity of
The Reminder I Needed Sometimes this work is simply daunting. There are days when the challenges seem too immense to overcome. There are times when I desperately need a reminder of why it’s so important to continue. Last week that reminder came in the form of a message from the director
The Form 4 class at Rapha Secondary School completed their KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) exam in April. This is a national exam that is demanding experience for all students. They are tested in all of their subjects over a period of a month. It’s a measure of their academic success in
Please join us in welcoming Peter Hayward to the HEAL Board of Directors. Pete began his career as a Professor of Geography at the State University of New York – Oneonta, where his research focused on using innovative mapping techniques to identify health disparities among underserved populations in the US Northeast. He then
Meet the New Children at Rapha Community Center (from left to right) Samuel comes from a very vulnerable family. Both of his parents are HIV+ and struggle to work consistently. The family is dependent on help from neighbors and well-wishers, but it is never enough to care for Samuel and his siblings. Samuel
Rapha Community Center is once again filled with the sights and sounds of children! Our community reopened in January, school resumed and work continued. In just a couple of weeks, our Class 8 and Form 4 students will sit for their national exams. Please send positive thoughts and prayers their way as they
