Our Students
Our students are orphans and vulnerable children who would not otherwise be in school without our financial support. Most of them live with a single parent, in most cases a single mother, or a relative, if both parents are deceased. About 25% of our students are HIV positive and a large majority of the parents who are deceased succumbed to HIV related illnesses.
We admit students into the project based on financial need. Most of the children we support live in slum areas or other informal settlements in and around the port city of Mombasa, Kenya. The structures they live in are constructed of stone, mud, and corrugated steel sheets. Many of these homes are in dire need of repair, with walls collapsing and holes in the roofs. The floors of the structures are either dirt, or at best, cement. Most of these homes do not have electricity or running water. Bathroom facilities typically consist of pit toilets located outside the home in a makeshift structure, which is shared between families. Many of the houses are not completely enclosed and thus are susceptible to mosquitos and malaria. We are working to change this with our home repair and bed and mattress programs.
The HOPE Project is a Catholic organization, but we help children from all religious affiliations. Our student population is about 1/3 Catholic, 1/3 from other Christian denominations, and 1/3 Muslim. We provide aid to students with physical and intellectual disabilities. The number of children who request help from us far exceeds the number we can support from a financial perspective.
Our students and their families are our family.
Meet Some of Our Students
Anna
18 years old
Anna is in her fourth year of secondary school. She lives with her grandmother since her father passed away and her mother abandoned her. She is a jovial girl, who likes to sing, and is very hard working in school. When she finishes high school, she would like to study fashion and design. Anna is very active in her parish and is an altar server.
Emmanuel
17 years old
Emmanuel is in his third year of high school. Both his parents are deceased, and he is the caregiver for his younger brother Isaiah, who is in his first year of high school. They live in a mud house, which was built by their church. As Emmanuel and Isaiah depend on the generosity of others for their basic needs, we provide them with food every month. Emmanuel likes to laugh and is very funny. He would like to be an journalist.
Constance
14 years old
Constance is in 7th grade. She loves singing and dancing. She is always happy and smiling. Constance lived with her father after her mother deserted the family. Then her father abandoned her and her sister; they now live with their aunt in a slum settlement. Their house is grass thatched with no water or electricity. Constance wants to be a teacher.
Alex
17 years old
Alex is in grade seven. His mother passed away when he was 3 years old. Alex was left under the care of his grandmother while his father worked as a night guard. As a result of this, Alex started school very late. Despite all the challenges and being the oldest (by a lot) in his class, Alex is very happy with school. When he finishes school, Alex would like to be an engineer. He likes playing football and is a fan of Manchester United.
Elizabeth
8 years old
Elizabeth is a very playful girl who likes dancing. She lives with her mother and her five siblings. She is in second grade. Her father left them when Elizabeth was two years old. The family lives in a small house. Elizabeth performs well in school. Although being only in second grade, Elizabeth is always willing and ready to participate in all HOPE activities.
Elvina
8 years old
Elvina is in grade 6. She is always smiling and very friendly. She loves singing and skipping rope. Elvina has lost both her parents and now stays with her maternal aunt. Elvina says that she wants to be a teacher
Collins
19 years old
Collins is an easygoing, talkative boy. He lives with his mother and two sisters in a one room mud house. Collins is the oldest of the three children. Collins is being raised by a single mother, who washes clothes for a living, as his father passed away in a tragic road accident. He completed high school and is currently studying motor vehicle mechanics. Working on cars has always been his passion, as both his late father and his uncle repaired cars. When his father was living, Collins would often accompany his dad to the repair shop and watch his father work. Collins was elected school president of his vocational school.
Mildred
22 years old
Mildred lives with her father and two brothers. Her mother passed away several years ago. Mildred is very friendly and outgoing. She loves singing and reciting poems. She is a leader among her fellow students. She was chosen school president in high school and is a class representative in college, where she is currently studying electrical engineering. Mildred is doing well in her college classes.
Grace
20 years old
Grace lives with her dad as her mom passed away. Grace is always smiling and loves singing. She has finished high school and is now studying hairdressing. Grace has wanted to be a hairdresser from a young age. When she was young, she used to braid the hair on her dolls. Grace is happy to now have the chance to study hairdressing
Sherline
20 years old
Sherline lives with her mother and younger sister. Her dad passed away when Sherline was very young. She is always happy, but a bit shy. Ever since she was young, it has been Sherline’s dream to help people in her community. Sherline is very active in her church, and after high school, she chose to study community health and development. Sherline works hard in her studies and is happy with what she is learning in college
Raphael
6 years old
Raphael is in his second and final year of preprimary school. He lost his father when he was very young and his mother when he was four years old. He now lives with his aunt, along with his four siblings. He is very good-natured and loves playing football. Raphael says that he would like to be a doctor.
Leonida
18 years old
Leonida likes reading. She’s very social and likes making new friends. She is always smiling and happy. Leonida stays with her mother as her father passed away. Leonida is currently studying fashion and design, which has always been her dream.
Erick
20 years old
Erick lives with his mother and older brother. His father passed away when he was 8 years old. Erick is hard working – both in college and at home. He is studying electrical installation. Erick’s late dad was an electrician and Erick wants to follow in his father’s footsteps. Erick likes playing football.