In Kenya, some children are finding a safe place to stay and go to school thanks to World Challenge’s partners.

Agape Hope Children Center was established to take care of orphans and other vulnerable youngsters in Nairobi, Kenya. Close to 150 children live at the orphanage and are educated at the center’s school. Another 500 children are part of the food program, and World Challenge’s support has empowered the center to impact the lives of the whole community.

One of these precious individuals is Kate Mdogo.

Abandoned, Rescued and Beloved

When Kate arrived, she was very thin and frail and looked years younger than the 10-year-old that she actually was. Her mother was an alcoholic who charged Kate with caring for all of her younger siblings. One day, their mother left home and never returned, leaving Kate and her siblings to fend for themselves.

Kate was found by Agape Hope Center social workers and was brought to the orphanage. She was enrolled in school and now plays with other children her age, though she is still a little quieter and more responsible than the others and probably always will be.

Kate has called the center home for the past two years. Her favorite part of the day now is leading the other children in worship during evening devotions. She has big dreams of becoming a law enforcement officer when she grows up.

Continuing Work Amid COVID-19

When COVID-19 emerged, the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Kenya during mid-March. With government restriction, some children at the center had to be sent to live with relatives or foster families.

Many of the children supported through the school live in the neighboring slum areas. The team provides educational materials for the children so they are positively engaged at home, in addition to conducting regular home visits to ensure they are staying safe through this tough season. For the children staying at the orphanage like Kate, they are being homeschooled and still have devotion and worship routines. As one team member emphatically stated, “We envision a community where the cycle of poverty is not repeated from generation to generation. We would like to empower these children.”