There is great reward when we embrace others in need and equip them with skills (not handouts) so that dignity and sustainability can be passed on to others!
Without an investment there can be no return. From prayer to a variety of caring actions, the door to make a difference is open for you, your family, and your friends.
I will crush poverty with HOPE!
Your network is a powerful tool! Explore the incredible difference you can make when you advance the cause through your office, church, small group, VBS, school, clubs, business, alumni networks, family, the web, social media, and more.
Gladys Chembulet
The Power of Transformation: Gladys’ Journey from Brewing to Empowerment
Two years ago, the ELI team held its first chiefs' awareness meeting at Cheptebo Training Center, where 190 chiefs from Elgeyo Marakwet County gathered. Among them was Chief Barmato from Chang’ach Village, a community of about 1,500 people.
Previously, Chief Barmato enforced the punitive Rapid Response Initiative (RRI), which mandated the destruction of illicit brews without addressing the root causes. However, this approach only deepened the animosity between him and the people he served. After attending ELI’s training, he embraced a new perspective—engagement over punishment.
A Life-Changing Encounter
One of the notorious brewers in the village was Gladys, a mother of seven who had been brewing for 26 years. Burdened by bitterness, rejection, and despair, she thought about pouring hot liquor on the chief—even if it meant she would surely be arrested! Her children suffered, often going without food and being labeled as failures by their school.
Upon returning from an ELI training, Chief Barmato had a new perspective and approach and sought out the top brewers. One evening, he met Gladys on her way to buy sugar for her brew. Sensing her deception, he accompanied her, initiating a relationship to build trust. Days later, he told her, “You are a potential leader. You were built for more.” These words lingered in her mind.
One morning, she visited the chief’s home to borrow a weighing scale, expecting to meet his wife. To her surprise, the chief welcomed her warmly, offering tea and fellowship. It was perhaps the first time she had been received with kindness. He shared about an ELI training for brewers. Soon thereafter, Gladys attended a pre-training session in the village with 40 women, and 16 of them signed up for a one-week intensive program.
A Ripple Effect of Change
Gladys returned transformed. She reached out to 16 other brewers, offering them alternative skills. Her newfound purpose extended beyond her village:
-
She shared trauma training with 70 police officers, 100 prison wardens, and 200 local chiefs.
-
She mobilized her community of 500 for economic empowerment, leading to a county-commissioned coffee farming initiative.
-
She expanded her outreach to four other communities: Salawa, Tambach, Koibatek, and Mogotio.
-
She convinced her alcoholic husband and four others to seek training; they are now 30 days sober.
-
Her relationship with her family was restored—they now eat, work, and worship together.
-
She joined a church of 50 people, including four women she influenced and the area chief.
A Legacy of Hope
Gladys’ transformation had a profound impact on her children. Two of them, Sials and Deborah, improved their grades and joined a national high school. Abby became the top student in Grade 8.
Gladys and her husband planted 160 coffee seedlings and started rotational farming of spring onions, earning a stable income. She formed a savings group that has helped five women venture into sheep farming.
She and her husband visit their children at school together, bringing joy to their children. Her now sober husband, Daniel, was once skeptical of her change but became inspired by her changed life and today he mentors others in the community.
The Light That Shines
Gladys’ favorite verse, Matthew 5:16—“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”—perfectly encapsulates her journey. Once trapped in a cycle of despair, she now stands as a beacon of hope, proving that true change begins with a single act of grace and understanding.
Your Role in This Transformation
This incredible transformation was made possible through the generosity of friends like you. Your donations helped fund the training, mentorship, and economic empowerment programs that changed Gladys’ life and the lives of many others in her community. Because of your support, families have been restored, children have hope, and entire villages are embracing a new way of life. Thank you for being a part of this journey of transformation!
Change the Future
Forever impact moms, dads, and children
Invest Now on a Monthly Basis
Ignite World Changers
Invest Now through a Special Gift
How You Can Impact One Person
$10 provides in-village awareness workshops
$60 provides 5 days of life-skill training
$35 provides a year's worth of coaching & mentoring
Change the Future
Forever impact moms, dads, and children
Invest Now with a Recurring Gift
Empowering Villages with Hope!
$25/month or $300/year empowers emerging leaders to impact their villages
(for every 25 people who give $25/month, another village can be empowered)
Invest Now with a Special Gift
Empowering Villages with HOPE!
$50 provides a life-skills workshop in a village
$90 trains a woman to leave illegal brewing
$250 provides a village outreach/evangelism weekend
$1,800 empowers a village cohort to lead a community
$8,000 provides Family HOPE to an entire village
$90 trains a woman to leave illegal brewing
$250 provides a village outreach/evangelism weekend
$1,800 empowers a village cohort to lead a community
$8,000 provides Family HOPE to an entire village
Fundraise to Ignite World Changers
Create a Campaign
Start Your MovementHost a Gathering
Sign Up Here
I want to ignite World Changers and give families HOPE!
Gladys Chembulet
The Power of Transformation: Gladys’ Journey from Brewing to Empowerment
Two years ago, the ELI team held its first chiefs' awareness meeting at Cheptebo Training Center, where 190 chiefs from Elgeyo Marakwet County gathered. Among them was Chief Barmato from Chang’ach Village, a community of about 1,500 people.
Previously, Chief Barmato enforced the punitive Rapid Response Initiative (RRI), which mandated the destruction of illicit brews without addressing the root causes. However, this approach only deepened the animosity between him and the people he served. After attending ELI’s training, he embraced a new perspective—engagement over punishment.
A Life-Changing Encounter
One of the notorious brewers in the village was Gladys, a mother of seven who had been brewing for 26 years. Burdened by bitterness, rejection, and despair, she thought about pouring hot liquor on the chief—even if it meant she would surely be arrested! Her children suffered, often going without food and being labeled as failures by their school.
Upon returning from an ELI training, Chief Barmato had a new perspective and approach and sought out the top brewers. One evening, he met Gladys on her way to buy sugar for her brew. Sensing her deception, he accompanied her, initiating a relationship to build trust. Days later, he told her, “You are a potential leader. You were built for more.” These words lingered in her mind.
One morning, she visited the chief’s home to borrow a weighing scale, expecting to meet his wife. To her surprise, the chief welcomed her warmly, offering tea and fellowship. It was perhaps the first time she had been received with kindness. He shared about an ELI training for brewers. Soon thereafter, Gladys attended a pre-training session in the village with 40 women, and 16 of them signed up for a one-week intensive program.
A Ripple Effect of Change
Gladys returned transformed. She reached out to 16 other brewers, offering them alternative skills. Her newfound purpose extended beyond her village:
-
She shared trauma training with 70 police officers, 100 prison wardens, and 200 local chiefs.
-
She mobilized her community of 500 for economic empowerment, leading to a county-commissioned coffee farming initiative.
-
She expanded her outreach to four other communities: Salawa, Tambach, Koibatek, and Mogotio.
-
She convinced her alcoholic husband and four others to seek training; they are now 30 days sober.
-
Her relationship with her family was restored—they now eat, work, and worship together.
-
She joined a church of 50 people, including four women she influenced and the area chief.
A Legacy of Hope
Gladys’ transformation had a profound impact on her children. Two of them, Sials and Deborah, improved their grades and joined a national high school. Abby became the top student in Grade 8.
Gladys and her husband planted 160 coffee seedlings and started rotational farming of spring onions, earning a stable income. She formed a savings group that has helped five women venture into sheep farming.
She and her husband visit their children at school together, bringing joy to their children. Her now sober husband, Daniel, was once skeptical of her change but became inspired by her changed life and today he mentors others in the community.
The Light That Shines
Gladys’ favorite verse, Matthew 5:16—“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”—perfectly encapsulates her journey. Once trapped in a cycle of despair, she now stands as a beacon of hope, proving that true change begins with a single act of grace and understanding.
Your Role in This Transformation
This incredible transformation was made possible through the generosity of friends like you. Your donations helped fund the training, mentorship, and economic empowerment programs that changed Gladys’ life and the lives of many others in her community. Because of your support, families have been restored, children have hope, and entire villages are embracing a new way of life. Thank you for being a part of this journey of transformation!
Change the Future
Forever impact moms, dads, and children
Invest Now on a Monthly Basis
Empowering Villages with Hope!
$25/month or $300/year empowers emerging leaders to impact their villages
(for every 25 people who give $25/month, another village can be empowered)
Ignite World Changers
Invest Now through a Special Gift
Empowering Villages with HOPE!
$50 provides a life-skills workshop in a village
$90 trains a woman to leave illegal brewing
$250 provides a village outreach/evangelism weekend
$1,800 empowers a village cohort to lead a community
$8,000 provides Family HOPE to an entire village
$90 trains a woman to leave illegal brewing
$250 provides a village outreach/evangelism weekend
$1,800 empowers a village cohort to lead a community
$8,000 provides Family HOPE to an entire village
How You Can Impact One Person
$10 provides in-village awareness workshops
$60 provides 5 days of life-skill training
$35 provides a year's worth of coaching & mentoring
Fundraise to Ignite World Changers
Create a Campaign
Start Your MovementHost a Gathering
Sign Up Here
I want to ignite World Changers and give families HOPE!
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