We have something pretty remarkable to celebrate here at Children of Hope this January! Seven of our precious kids have grown up, completed their higher education, and are about to embark on their own to live as independent adults! We have never had so many of our children move to this stage of life at the same time and we couldn’t be more proud.
Our Leadership Team will spend many hours with each of these seven young adults over the next few months doing all they can to prepare them for the real world – focusing on things like:
- Financial Training
- Budgets
- Basic NEEDS, not wants
- Side jobs to help make money
- Plaiting hair
- Restaurant jobs
- Growing crops and raising chickens to sell
- Real Life Discussions about Temptation
- Drugs
- Sex
- Relationships – who to trust
- Empowering/Preparing Them for Hard Situations
- What if they are broke?
- What if they are taken advantage of…physically? financially? emotionally?
- What if they can’t find consistent work?
- Prayer and Support
- They can always come home for a visit
- Get some rest and fellowship
- Enjoy a home-cooked meal
- Receive love and encouragement
- Leave with a few groceries😉
- Call when they are in trouble
- We will be there for them
We praise God for the privilege of watching these little children grow into godly men and women!
Let’s meet the graduates:
ALEX KWEMOI – Film Technology Diploma from Zetech University
“I have grown and learned a lot at Children of Hope. I came as a child who was broken and had lost hope after my single mom passed on. I was sickly, frail, and never trusted anyone. The love I was shown made me realize that I could trust again. I thank God for CoH. I went through school and finally graduated college with a Diploma in what I always dreamed of – Film Technology! I am now praying for jobs to come my way. Thank you again CoH for this opportunity.”
DANIEL BARAKA – Information Technology Diploma from The Co-operative University
“I am grateful to God and to the Children of Hope family for giving me an opportunity to grow up and go to school. I am grateful for the love and care I received. Thank you so much! I promise to carry the good values that I was taught at CoH with me. God bless you all.”
EDITH CHEROP – Food and Beverage Production Certificate from Matili Technical Training Institute
GRACE GATHONI – Public Relations Certificate from Gretsa University
“I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank God and the entire Children of Hope family for taking me in, loving me, and giving me so many chances in life. I had lost all hope when my mom died leaving me with my infant sister back then. I was terrified and had no idea what God had in store for both of us. Through CoH we received help and an opportunity to go to school and I am so grateful.”
“I am grateful for the love and support I received from Children of Hope, most importantly granting me an opportunity to go to college. I am happy that I am now leaving CoH better than when I arrived, and pray that my future will be bright.”
MARGARET WANGARE – Health Records Diploma from The Kenya Medical Training College – Machakos
MARY WAITHERA – Hospitality Diploma from Zetech University
“I am beyond grateful for the opportunity Children of Hope gave me. I wish to thank the entire CoH family from my brothers and sisters to my uncles and aunties. They made my life so easy and fun. I enjoyed family time, playing games, learning from each other and also teasing one another. CoH is a beautiful family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to advance my academics. I will work extremely hard in my next phase of life and make everyone proud. God bless CoH and all the people involved with it.”
“Children of Hope gave me wings – now I can fly. Thank you for the love and the care. I had an amazing time growing up in a wonderful family. I am so grateful to God for the opportunity. I will always cherish the moments shared at CoH. I will walk shoulders high and ready to face the world since I know I have a strong foundation that I learned from CoH. God bless my CoH family, I love you all.”
TONY MUNGAI – Automotive Technology Certificate from NITA (National Industrial Training Institute)
“Thank you, Children of Hope, for raising me up from childhood to now being an adult. I am happy I was able to pursue my dream career, and that I am enjoying my work with vehicles.”
Just like in the U.S., we send our young people off on their own with a tear in our eye, so excited for them, but hoping they still need us – just a little bit. We cheer them on, reassuring them that God has prepared them in every way and that they are always welcome to stop by for a hug, some love, and a listening ear – maybe even a little real-life advice if they are willing to hear it.
In 2025 we had 24 children in college/university/trade school. Yes, these seven will be moving on soon, but we have four high school graduates who will join university this fall. Our kids are growing up so quickly and each year we will encourage those moving on to independence while preparing those stepping into college life.
This is what God has called us to do here at Children of Hope, “we aspire to be a manifestation of Christ’s unconditional love and empower the children in our care to reach their full potential.” Wow – has God ever answered that prayer! Praise His Name!
Auntie Anne Ndegi has been a part of the Children of Hope family for the past eighteen years! Her dedication and love as a mother really impacts our kids. She helps shape them and give them confidence to become all God created them to be. We are so grateful. Auntie Anne is a single mother whose twenty-four-year-old son is a teacher. She is very proud of him.
“I can see clearly that the children love you and your care for them is very powerful. You are very good at what you do. Thank you for sacrificing and holding these children at night when they need you. God bless you! We appreciate you so much.” ~ Abraham Kiboki
In Anne’s Words:
I love connecting with all the kids, both the little ones and the older ones – I don’t have a favorite age. The little ones are drawn to me and they often run after me laughing and trying to catch up to me. But the older kids like to mingle, and they will sometimes confide in me which I really enjoy.
God is the one who has kept me here, serving and loving these children. He always brings me back to these precious kids. There’s no secret to it – I just love them. From the first time they come into the home, I love them.
My schedule looks like this: On my first day on duty, I come to the home at 8am. I greet the children and hug on them some. We just mingle and spend time being together for a bit. Once the older kids are off to school, I take the little ones for a walk around the compound where we go down to the farm. We look in on the cows and sheep, maybe say “hi” to the puppies then make our way back up for lunch. Around 2pm we get more focused and have study-time. We practice letters and colors, also work on some English words. Around 4pm is bath time and after baths, the kids play, relax, and maybe watch a TV show before dinner. After their tummies are full, we have devotion time, finish up the older kids’ studies and everyone is in bed by 9pm. On school days, I am up by 5am to wake the children, get them dressed, and make sure they have had a good breakfast. Then they are off on the bus for the school day.
My favorite things to do with the children are to play and hang out with them. I also like to help them with their studies. I love to sit with them and invest the time it takes to really help them understand. It brings me such joy to see them progress every single day. My favorite things to do on my days off are to sing on the praise and worship team at my church and visit new places.
The story that really touches my heart is Terry’s story. When she came to us, she was just three years old and had been physically abused – she was not able to sit down. I stayed with her the entire first week she was at the home so she could bond with me and so she would feel secure – knowing she was safe and loved. I held her all through the night to give her the best chance at getting good rest and healing. The first days were very hard for Terry, but I did all I knew to make her feel safe and secure. I was really tired during that week, but it made such a difference in Terry’s healing process. Now Terry is a beautiful, talkative, outgoing little girl so full of confidence that she sometimes gives me a little bit of trouble! What a blessing and Praise God! That is the power of God working through us here at Children of Hope. We give children a chance to be children and for some of our kids, like Terry, we save them out of very dangerous situations.
~ Thank you, Auntie Anne, for your dedication and tender heart. Your unwavering and individual love and for each child is changing their lives. The eighteen years you have spent at Children of Hope have been such a blessing. We are forever grateful for you!
