The water pump has been fixed! The children at Rapha Community Center have access to clean water again. Thank you to everyone who donated towards the pump replacement. Enough money was raised to cover the cost, which means we didn't need to use funds that were earmarked for other projects. Now that we are
Return to Kenya On March 1st, I will travel to Kenya for the first time since last February. I can't wait to visit the children at Rapha Community Center. It is always amazing to see how much growth takes place between my trips. We have made a lot of progress in the past
The new school year is off to a great start at Rapha Community Center. Everywhere you look, there are signs of vibrant life. Steady rains have helped our flowers to bloom, and our crops to thrive. It is the first year since before the pandemic that we will have a good harvest of fruits
I took my first trip to Kenya 17 years ago. Since then, the course of my life has been fueled by the absolute determination to make a positive difference in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children. It hasn't been easy. There have been times when I wanted to walk away. In those difficult
One night, Steven and Regina fell peacefully asleep in their beds. When they woke the next morning their world was completely different. Their house was empty; their mother was gone. Day turned to night, but she still did not return home. Regina did her best to take care of her younger brother. They survived
I'm thrilled to finally share a special project the HEAL team has been working on this year. We're introducing our newly expanded Gifts to HEAL store, featuring alternative gift opportunities, select crafts from Kenya and a wide range of gifts featuring designs that will inspire you to shine your light wherever you go! Every
John was hit by a car when he was a child. His injuries were never treated and as he has grown, the bones in his right leg haven't developed properly. The doctor said he needed to have a corrective procedure within the next two years or the damage would be permanent. I shared his
It’s happening! On June 28th, a team of 9 people will join our Executive Director, Jennifer, in Kenya for the first volunteer experience at Rapha Community Center since the pandemic started in 2020. We can’t wait for our children to meet new friends and for our volunteer team to witness the vital work we’re
Remember Samantha? When I shared her story in my last letter, she was just about to begin her KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) examination. This is an important endeavor for all Form 4 students in Kenya. It’s the culmination of their entire secondary school education and their results determine so much
Samantha’s mother passed away when she was just starting secondary school. It was a difficult loss at such a pivotal time in her young life. Her father should have been there to help her grieve, but he abandoned her and left her to care for her younger sister. They didn’t have anyone
