Meet Nelly — Nairobi, Kenya

“Poverty is the lack of hope, not possessions.”

"Poverty is the lack of hope, not possessions," our dear friend Nelly taught us. Nelly is one of the sweetest and most dynamic personalities we've had the pleasure of calling our friend. Her smile and laugh will instantly transform your day.

She grew up in the slums of Kenya with not much in the form of tangible possessions. The issue of finding food and water was familiar to her but did not define her.

She was able to attend University and has since devoted her efforts to making sure others in her community realize they have a path and future filled with hope as well.

Nelly describes true poverty as a lack of hope because, without the hope of change, it's hard to create the will to fight through the normal daily shortages. Nelly says that with hope in the heart, the food in the belly seems more full.

Meeting Nelly was one of the most eye-opening relationships we have encountered. Through supporting her efforts and aiding in her commitment to teaching, we have seen lives changed by her love.

We partnered with Nelly to support a Saturday program serving the youth in her community where attendance was from 60-75 children. Seeing the need for education and a partnership with parents struggling to make ends meet, we co-founded Ohana Education Centre, our school in Nairobi, Kenya – a school serving an impoverished neighborhood in Kenya.