It’s been almost a year since we have given an update on our new home plans in Kikuyu, but we have news – and pictures!
Many hours of prayer, planning, and design have gone into this home and it was with great excitement that we broke ground on August 15, 2025! Since then, the compound has been filled with hustle and bustle – trucks driving in and out delivering materials, kids and grow-ups alike peeking through the fence to see the progress, and around November 11, the walls started to go up! The construction is now in full swing – moving so quickly that the walls were completed on November 18! With this new building in Kikuyu, our prayers have been answered, and we are so grateful!
The design of the new structure incorporates our existing boys’ cottage which is labeled on the photos. There will be a new basketball court and soccer field at the top of the property and a fun courtyard in the middle of the home that will include an outdoor seating area and playground for the little ones. We can only imagine what joy this will bring to the children as they gather in one space for meals and fun! We are combining the names of the current cottages and will affectionately name this new home Amani Milele, which is Swahili for “Peace Forever!”
Things are now moving very quickly, and the proposed completion date is mid-April 2026! Please join us in praying over this new home:
- Safety and protection
- To stay within budget
- An easy transition for our children
- Hope for future children who will call this place home
Proverbs 24:3-4 says, “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
It seems the treasures in these verses are children and my goodness, our children are definitely both rare and beautiful. We feel so blessed to have a safe, engaging, lovely place for these precious kids to grow up in the love of the Lord.
Uncle Brian Kipyego is one of our more recent hires, working in our Kikuyu home for just about one year. He is 26 years old and has one daughter. He is a very dependable Housefather in our Boys’ Cottage, and we are happy he is part of the Children of Hope family.
“Your guidance of the older boys is such a blessing, and your personality endears you to the younger children as well. Your tender heart, care of Kimani and Daniel, assistance with homework, and availability to play with the kids both young and old is making a huge impact on our children. Thank you, Brian!” ~ Abraham Kiboki
In Brian’s Words:
For the past year, I have been working here at CoH. This makes me very happy because I have been able to gain valuable experience working with the children and with the other staff members who have been here for many years. I was initially hired on an internship basis and was grateful when that internship turned into a staff position. One part of my job I really enjoy is helping the kids with their academics. It is very fulfilling to share what I have learned with them and see their grades improve.
A typical day for me starts around 5am. I wake up the school children and make sure they have their breakfast. Around 6am I wake up Kimani and Daniel, our two special needs young men who go to a special school. It takes some extra time to get these boys ready, but I enjoy our fellowship as we prepare for the day. Once the kids are off to school, I tidy up the boys’ cottage – making sure the beds are made and clothes put away.
As you can imagine, on breaks when all the boys are home, their living space needs some tending to. During these times, I really enjoy helping them with homework, teaching them some life skills on the farm and in the kitchen, and my favorite – playing soccer with them. I really try to invest in them when we are all home. We eat dinner together, we talk, and sometimes we watch movies before they turn in for the day. These movies can spark many good conversations.
As a Housefather, I have learned to know each child. Some need more attention than others. Some are quiet but long for an adult to seek them out. Some are spirited to a fault. Whatever the issue, it’s my job to discern a response that is best for that child. Amos comes to mind as a young man who keeps me on my toes. He is full of energy, passion, and is incredibly driven and competitive. These are strong character qualities and sometimes as his housefather, we have disagreements. But I am grateful for these opportunities to work through our struggles – to learn and grow together – knowing we will both come out stronger on the other side.
I have been so happy working here at CoH. I love to help and engage with the kids. I seem to learn something new every day and I am really growing on a personal level. My colleagues have been very supportive and working together with them as a team is a joy! I am very grateful to have this wonderful job.
~ Thank you, Brian, for your tender heart, your engaging personality, and your willingness to help wherever we need you. We thank God for your love and care for our kids.
