Emily’s story of transformation begins years ago in Nandi County, Kenya. At just 17, she found herself pregnant, rejected by her family, and struggling to survive. With nowhere to turn, she began brewing alcohol just to make ends meet.

She became well-known in the area because her brew was so strong. Locals even nicknamed her “Kosgey wa Mgingo,” likening her home to the fish-rich island of Mgingo for its unmatched brew supply. But behind this reputation was a woman just trying to survive. She was constantly hiding from police, sold her cows to pay fines, suffered from high blood pressure, and raised her two children alone after her husband left. Even in the midst of all this . . . she held onto hope.

Through that hope, things began to change! Emily met her neighbor Naomi, a poultry farmer and a woman of faith, who introduced her to ELI. Emily then began attending trainings, learning how to raise chickens and run a small business. She also joined a local church and found a new community!

Her farm flourished, soon home to 60 chickens and a sheep. Her property transformed into a symbol of growth and hope as well, inspiring local leaders like the Area Chief and even police officers to support her journey.

Emily shared, “Thank you for opening my eyes to see what God can do if I just believe. I went from destroying lives to rebuilding my own. My prayer is to become a change agent for those I once harmed.”

Naomi, the neighbor who first introduced Emily to ELI, added, “God used ELI to help women like Emily see the light of Jesus and prosper. Her story is a miracle. People still visit her home because they can hardly believe the transformation.”

Emily’s life is no longer defined by the past. She is living proof that with God, support, and courage, it’s possible to start over, and help others do the same! Because of friends like you, women like Emily are finding freedom from the pain of poverty and discovering new life in Jesus. Your partnership makes it possible for broken stories to be rewritten and entire communities to experience transformation. Thank you for helping turn mourning into dancing for Emily and so many others.