“When women and girls rise, their communities and countries rise with them” (Michelle Obama). That’s true of the girls in Naivasha, Kenya, where Light of Hope Kenya, based out of Plymouth, Minnesota, has been working to provide a loving home and quality education since 2005.
When co-founders Boni and Sandy Karanja met in 1998, they quickly discovered a shared calling for helping oppressed, abused, and abandoned girls. Together, they launched Light of Hope Kenya to provide Refuge, Restoration, and Redirection, for young girls who often face overwhelming barriers to education — most often related to gender inequality.
What exactly does that look like?
In 2005, it looked like a small dormitory and temporary classrooms for six young girls. That grew into an enclosed campus with electricity, a well, and a music program for 40 girls.
Then, in 2011, after a playground, sports amenities, and organic gardens were added, the first high school dorm and four new classrooms were built.
In 2013, generous donors provided for the Wokovu kitchen and dining hall. That year also saw the first high school graduates who benefited from a purified water system and expanded library.
The last decade has seen the most significant developments at Light of Hope, including a new dormitory that houses 160 girls, modern computer and STEM labs, a wifi tower, laundry facilities, a medical building, and a junior high school.
Today, Light of Hope has about 180 girls in their care.
Nearly 20 years after taking in those first six girls, Light of Hope has been fortunate enough to see the dedication of their constituents, which led to the success of many girls who have pursued college educations in nursing, political science, teaching, and more. One of Light of Hope’s ongoing success stories involves an entire family.
Several years ago, Light of Hope was contacted about a mom who was desperate to find support for her starving children. Several of her boys were taken in by a different school, and Light of Hope took in Hannah, who was about five years old at the time.
Not long after taking in Hannah, Boni and Sandy returned to Kenya to visit the school. Sandy was approached by a young woman who turned out to be Hannah’s mom, who had been given a job tending to the gardens. As a result, she was able to not only see Hannah every day but also take food home for her other children.
“Light of Hope is about community. It’s about changing families and providing hope. It’s about desperation and helping truly to save lives. And Hannah — she’s in third grade now — she’s so awesome. She’s so smart. She’s beautiful, and her smile is just incredible,” says Erin Quinn, director of marketing, development, and donor relations at Light of Hope.
While Light of Hope has grown exponentially over the last 20 years, there’s still so much the organization hopes to accomplish.
Being supported entirely by voluntary donations, Light of Hope hosts three fundraising events a year: a spring gala, a summer golf tournament, and a fall luncheon.
This year’s fall luncheon was on October 10th, hosted at the Hutton House in Medicine Lake. The event fittingly coincides with International Day of the Girl. The entire community was invited to attend and enjoy a complimentary luncheon, offering a fantastic opportunity to learn about their mission and goals, and to get involved.
Another opportunity to support Light of Hope is through their Friends of Hope program. This program includes a monthly commitment to cover the expenses of a girl and write letters as she grows. It’s a wonderful pen pal-like program that the whole family can partake in.
If, instead of a monetary donation, you’d rather offer your time and expertise, there are opportunities for that as well. “We have the land and are starting some land prep for a vocational school. So if anybody has knowledge in that department or building skills and has a heart not necessarily for the younger girls but a heart for older girls as they become independent and self-driven, that would be a great opportunity,” Erin says.
By providing a proper education, medical care, and a loving environment, Light of Hope is changing not only the lives of these young girls but the lives of their families, communities, and countries. It’s something we’d all be fortunate to be a part of.
Learn more: https://lightofhopekenya.org/
Join us for our annual gala on April 25, 2025: Register at LOHgala2025.givesmart.com
Light of Hope is about community. It’s about changing families and providing hope.
When co-founders Boni and Sandy Karanja met in 1998, they quickly discovered a shared calling.