Many African communities were short of food and didn't have hygiene supplies when the pandemic arrived in East Africa.
Then people like you stepped in and stood with over 250 community leaders in Africa to empower their people with seeds, soap, Bible study materials, and hope.
Currently, as COVID is making a resurgence in Kenya, there is still much need. The community leaders are doing everything they can to keep people engaged, motivated, and active on the farms and in their homes. Your ongoing care, prayer, and support for these leaders and communities continue to produce a harvest that will last for eternity. Thank you!
ELI Kenya provided the following items to key Christian leaders in 10 communities where we are currently working. These trusted leaders (over 250 village chiefs, Women of Change leaders, and pastors) distributed these items in order to reach the families in greatest need in their communities:
- Liquid soap for washing their hands and homes
- The raw ingredients to make additional soap
- Fast growing vegetable seeds that will provide food within a few weeks
- Training and digital Bible study materials to bring hope to hearts and homes
Above all, you provided hope through your partnership with these communities!
Seeds of Hope Results
FROM TEARS TO JOY
The absence of seeds and know-how could be seen by the family’s barren garden. The little money that Rhoda’s husband had just earned motivated him to try to cross the Kerio river to reach a marketplace where he could buy some vegetables to help feed their four children. His valiant effort to cross the river ended up sweeping his life away, and the chokehold of poverty quickly tightened its grip on Rhoda and her future.
Rains would soon water the area while others in the village were already planting. The only drops Rhoda’s children saw were falling from their mother’s face as she prayed for a way to provide for them during the COVID-19 national lockdown.
God opened a door because of the generosity of friends like you. Because of ELI’s training programs in the Tururturu, Kenya area, the Seeds of Hope initiative partnered with village leaders there to help the most vulnerable.
Rhoda could not believe her eyes when she was given her seeds and materials. When everyone gathered to pray and give thanks, Rhoda felt an embrace like she had not felt for a very long time. Your gift reached her hands and gave her hope for a brighter tomorrow.
CRUSHING POVERTY
This grandma has struggled to live on the quarter-acre she owns because it consists mainly of large boulders and has little room to grow food. It’s hard to imagine the determination this petite woman has to survive as she sits for hours every day with one tool in her hand: a hammer to crush giant boulders down to inch-size pieces that people doing construction will be willing to buy. Sometimes waiting weeks for a customer, the pile slowly grows while her hope fades because she depends on that income for her very survival.
When leaders in her village partnered with ELI to distribute Seeds of Hope to the most vulnerable, Gogo’s (Grandma’s) name was on their list. The little land she has is now full of growing corn, and she is saving some remaining seeds to replant once she harvests this current crop.
Step by step you are helping ELI build stronger relationships with villages, leaders, and the most vulnerable.
Thank you for standing with those who need empowerment most.
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I want to make a difference today. Please use my gift to:
Help where it is most needed in Africa during COVID-19
Advance this important program in response to COVID-19
Impact communities to overcome COVID-19
COVID-19 UPDATE
- COVID-19 cases are significantly increasing in Kenya at the moment. There are currently more than than 1,000 new cases each day and medical facilities are being overwhelmed nation-wide.
- To the best of our knowledge, none of our children's home staff or children have been exposed. We have taken significant preventative and proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of our children and staff and the communities in which we serve. We are taking adequate measures to reduce travel on the highway between Ilula and Kipkaren, including trips to Eldoret.
- Our own quarantine at both children's homes is fully in effect. The homes are stocked with nearly 8 weeks' worth of supplies, medicine, and food.
- Schools are open to 4th, 8th, and 12th graders, and all possible measures are being strictly enforced to ensure that masks are worn, hands are washed, and desks are significantly spaced in the classrooms.
- All visitations to the children’s homes and training centers have stopped.
- Only essential and pre-approved personnel can travel into the town of Eldoret.
- Everyone is thoroughly sanitized upon return with methylated spirits, alcohol wipes, and soap.
- Community-based programs are being facilitated by ELI staff and leaders through online platforms and mobile phones.
- All staff are remaining within ELI facilities or their personal homes.
This is a difficult time for many of us. At this moment around the world, there are very real concerns regarding health, finances, and family. We pray that the love and care of God will be felt by all. If you would like prayer, please do not hesitate to call our office (909-931-1311 ext. 5) or email us at togetherinprayer@
We cannot express how much your caring emails, questions, and comments have meant to us over the past few weeks. During times like this, we realize even more how much you and your prayers mean to this important work and the thousands of lives it represents.
May the peace of God surround you and your family in a special way. Always feel free to reach out with any thoughts you have, and again, let us know how we can be praying for you knowing:
“Our hope for you is unshakable because we know that, just as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in God’s comforting strength.” - 2 Corinthians 1:7