From Hardship to Hope
When Director Ishmael first met little Terry during a community home visit, her future looked uncertain. Born to a single mother, Terry was just two years old when her mum—barely 25 herself—left for Saudi Arabia to work as a domestic helper. Left in the care of her aging grandmother, a widow struggling to make ends meet, Terry’s early years were marked by hardship.
“There were nights when we slept on empty stomachs or survived on porridge,” her grandmother recalls. “Life has been terrible; I have no one to help me. My hope is only on God.”
Recognizing the desperate situation, Shelter of Hope stepped in. At the age of three, Terry was enrolled in the school program. Here she found more than education—she found hope. Terry now receives two meals a day, a school uniform, books, and the tools she needs to learn and thrive.
Her teachers describe her as quiet yet outgoing, a girl who has blossomed in confidence and joy. “Hearing her laughter and seeing her play freely brings joy to my heart,” shares Director Ishmael.
A Lifeline for Underprivileged Children
Shelter of Hope operates schools in Nairobi and Kagan, providing not only education but also a daily meal that gives students the strength to face the day. Many children come from poor families, and they walk many kilometres just to reach the school. Hunger, fatigue, and financial hardship are daily realities, but the school does everything possible to alleviate these burdens.
Today, Terry is in Grade 2, thriving in her favourite subjects, number work and arts. With dreams of becoming a nurse, she has a bright future ahead—one made possible through the support of Shelter of Hope and friends like you.
Building the Future
While Terry’s story is one of hope, Shelter of Hope continues to face real and pressing needs. Staff often go without pay, more children arrive each term needing meals and sponsorship, and classrooms and school vans require upkeep to keep the ministry running. These challenges are big, but together we can meet them.
Shelter of Hope encourages students to stay motivated not just through academics but by fostering an environment where they are empowered to dream beyond their current circumstances.
How You Can Help Us Reach Our Goal
Your donations will allow us to provide essential school fees and improve the infrastructure for students.
- $50 can provide one month of tuition for one student.
- $100 can ensure 6 children get a fresh, nutritious meal every school day for a month.
- $250 can help fund the construction of new classrooms and improve hygiene facilities, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment.
Will you stand with us in shaping more stories like Terry’s? Your gift—whether monthly or one-time—helps ensure that children like her not only survive but thrive, growing into the future God has planned for them.
