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Projects Widow Care Many women living in sub-Sahara Africa are subject to a wide range of plights and deplorable conditions. This is intensified immensely following the death of a spouse. Voice of Hope provides assistance to 80 women and their children or grandchildren in rural Kenya who find themselves in these conditions. Read More Secure Housing It was common for our women to live in homes that had no security or protection from the elements. Many lived in homes that were falling apart. Personal hygiene was nearly impossible with no latrines or wash houses in which to bathe. Read More Education and School Tuition It was apparent when other members of the widow’s family were expected to pay school fees, there were often gaps in support, which would result in the children missing school and falling behind. Read More Spiritual Groups Loneliness and isolation is prevalent in the day to day toil in our dear women’s lives. A sense of hopelessness and fear often prevails because life is hard. In 2019, it was decided amongst the women to create small groups in each community to study the Word of God and to encourage one another. Read More Medical Support Access to medical care has been a game changer for our women. Living such hard lives, often performing heavy, manual labour in the fields, brings with it a toll on their physical bodies. Read More Food Support Based on careful ongoing assessments and on the advice of our field partners Aggrey and Everlyne, monthly supplemental food support is distributed. Read More Adult Education Receiving education is a rare privilege for most of our widowed women. Some of our ladies were able to receive a primary education. Few were given the opportunity to graduate from high school. Many in our program did not have the advantage of any formal schooling. Read More Community Development An important aspect of the work of Voice of Hope has been to fund clean water wells and facilitating piped water access. We have also focused on proper sanitation with new latrine and wash house facilities, improvements to existing homes or as needed the construction of new homes. We have also been able to facilitate adding some classrooms to an existing school. Read More Shiphra Centre We work with a childrens’ home called Shiphra Centre in Nairobi. Thanks to your compassionate and generous donations, this little home has been receiving help with student tuition for many years. Read More

< Back Secure Housing It was common for our women to live in homes that had no security or protection from the elements. Many lived in homes that were falling apart. Personal hygiene was nearly impossible with no latrines or wash houses in which to bathe. Voice of Hope has taken it upon themselves to build new homes for all our women in the program or make the necessary repairs to allow them to sleep in a safe, dry, and secure home. Cooking customarily would be done inside the home, which compromises their living environment by causing respiratory issues over the years of breathing in smoke daily and damaging the tin roofs. This is why outside kitchens were built, as wood/fire is the main source of cooking. Prior to our women having latrines and wash houses, they would find a bush to relieve themselves, hoping nobody was around. If they had to bathe, it was a quick scrub outside the home, in the dark of night, frightful that there may be others watching and lurking in the bushes. Having a wash house with a lock provides a great source of comfort and security. All of our widows receive a latrine and wash house for bathing. All of our women live in a modest mud home, that is in keeping with the community of homes in their area. Our partners on the ground continually assess the homes and repair when needed. Doors and windows are reinforced, and locks are now being provided. All of our women are by themselves and to have a home that is safe and secure from intruders when they lay their heads down at night is a huge comfort to them and their children/grandchildren. For most of our families, sleeping on a mud floor with no bedding was their norm. We wanted to change this, knowing the positive impacts a comfortable sleep can provide; therefore, we provide beds, mattresses, and blankets. We believe a secure, safe, and comfortable home will bless our women immensely. Donate Project Gallery

< Back Community Development An important aspect of the work of Voice of Hope has been to fund clean water wells and facilitating piped water access. We have also focused on proper sanitation with new latrine and wash house facilities, improvements to existing homes or as needed the construction of new homes. We have also been able to facilitate adding some classrooms to an existing school. Four water wells have been funded though Voice of Hope in the Kakamega district. Safe clean drinking water is a luxury in rural Kenya. Women and children often bear the burden of walking miles each day to find water in streams and ponds, full of water-borne diseases that is are making them and their families sick. Illness and the time lost fetching water is significant. With safe water, clean hands, healthy bodies; time lost is dramatically reduced. Good functional latrines (outhouses) and a private bathing space is such a blessing for our women. It was not uncommon for our women to share that before she they received their latrines, they were taunted because they did not have bathroom facilities and were forced to use the neighbouring bushes to relieve themselves. Taking a ‘bath’ was also very difficult. Many of our women would wash outdoors in the dark of night, hoping that no one would walk in on them. All of our ladies have a wash ‘stall’ beside their latrine where they can wash themselves with privacy. Home improvements are on the ‘to do’ list for every widow that joins our program. Sometimes her home will be so dramatically dilapidated that a new home will be constructed for her. Our goal is to be sure they are comfortable and secure; that each family can proudly feel like their house is their ‘home sweet home’. Donate Project Gallery

Our VOH Ladies Day in Seje Written by Linda Koopman We began our day together over breakfast, grateful for the strength and fellowship God provided before the work ahead. With thankful hearts, we set out for Ladies Day at Seje Glory School, eager to gather with the women. Although we waited quite some time for the program to officially begin, the delay did not go to waste. We spent those moments visiting children in different classrooms—singing songs, colouring, playing games, skipping, blowing bubbles, and sharing countless smiles. These simple interactions were deeply meaningful.  When the program began, Patricia Ahaya—a woman supported by VOH—shared a powerful message that resonated throughout the room:“The grace of the Lord allows us to go on. Trust in the Lord and dwell in Him, and He will keep you safe in His hands. There is nothing we can do without the Lord.” Her words spoke clearly of dependence, perseverance, and God’s daily, sustaining work in our lives. The women then enjoyed a lively   “This or That”  icebreaker game that brought laughter and connection. Would you rather sing or listen to songs? Drink tea or soda? Spend time in quiet or talk together? The joy and ease among the ladies were evident as barriers fell.  Everlyne followed with practical teaching on seeds, planting, and fertilizer, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for the planting season. Her lesson carried both physical and spiritual meaning—calling the women to readiness, patience, and faithful stewardship. Everlyne also encouraged the women to remain committed to their spiritual groups, reminding them that gathering together, supporting one another, and staying grounded in God’s Word is extremely important. She left the ladies with words centered on stewardship, grace, obedience, justice, responsibility, and dependence on God—ending with a searching question for every heart: “Am I connected to Christ, the true vine?” Helen then shared about our all-powerful, good God. She reminded us that we can come to Him freely, speak with Him openly, and trust that He truly desires to hear from us. This naturally led into a beautiful time of singing, worship, and prayer. Afterward, we shared refreshments—Fanta, Coke, Sprite, and muffins—enjoying fellowship,  conversation and more pictures.  Our final home visit of the day was especially memorable. We cooked together with Rosaline, preparing a simple yet nourishing meal of rice with cabbage, carrot, onion, sausage, and tomato. It was a fitting end to our work in this area—sharing food, fellowship, and the love of Christ.  As the day drew to a close, it carried a bittersweet weight as we prepared to leave the Siaya area. Saying goodbye is never easy when hearts have been knit together through shared faith, service, and joy. We arrived back at the hotel and it was time to say our goodbyes to Cathy, our field partner in Siaya. We will miss her greatly and pray she is richly blessed as she continues her work among the VOH Women. We also rejoice with her as she awaits the arrival of her first baby in May.  Closing Hymn God be with you till we meet again;By His counsels guide, uphold you,With His sheep in love enfold you;God be with you till we meet again. God be with you till we meet again;’Neath His wings protecting hide you,Daily manna still provide you;God be with you till we meet again. Till we meet, till we meet,Till we meet at Jesus’ feet;Till we meet, till we meet,God be with you till we meet again. Ladies arriving for Ladies Day Bible Story time for the eager children. Beautiful and sweet little faces at school Cooking at Roseline’s home A fitting end to our work in this area—sharing food, fellowship, and the love of Christ.

Written by Janet Pennings Today marked our second Sunday in Kenya, and we had the joy of worshipping at Yogo Glory Centre Church. The message, “Go with us,” came from Exodus 33:12 through Exodus 34:9—a powerful reminder of Moses’ plea for the Lord’s presence to go before His people. We were encouraged to bring our fears honestly before the Lord and to expect Him to work in ways that bring glory to His name. It was both convicting and comforting to remember that God’s presence is what truly sets His people apart. After the service, we visited a water power plant, where solar panels provide energy for a pump that brings water uphill to nearby communities. Just yesterday, a water tank was delivered to a family living on the hill—after 15 years without access to water, they now have it. You can only imagine their gratitude. Seeing such a practical provision was a beautiful picture of God’s care expressed through faithful hands and simple technology. We returned for lunch and later in the evening gathered with Patricia, Pamela, and several other women from the area. Together we shared Scripture and personal testimonies of God’s faithfulness. The children also sang for us, and incredibly, a seven-year-old girl led the group. Watching her confidently lead others in worship was deeply moving—one of those moments that reminds you how God is already at work in the next generation. Once again, we traveled along rough, dusty roads, surrounded by breathtaking scenery—views we never seem to grow tired of. Each journey feels like a quiet reminder of God’s creative beauty and the privilege it is to witness it firsthand. Today was a strong reminder that God is everywhere at work. Seeing the women here flourishing in faith and confidence is incredibly encouraging. We are grateful to be witnesses to what the Lord is doing and humbled to walk alongside Him in it. Morning church service Hiking Water Power Plant

This morning we were able to sleep in a little. A slower start was appreciated by the team as our days had been full, long and hot. But, we still managed to get six visits in today. Again we were faced with the enormous challenges our women face day to day. Water for household consumption. Water for drinking, water for cooking, water for personal hygiene, water for laundry. All of it to be gotten in jerrycans- 10 or 20 litres - that’s 22 to 44 pounds! Up to 4 miles away! Our women have all received gutters and a water tank but that’s been of little help in the Seje region. It’s usually a dry climate but this year there’s been a drought. When we ask about their crop and kitchen garden the common reply has been, “The sun has burned it up” The water in the tanks have long been used up. Another challenge is their health. Thankfully God has enabled VOH to provide care but still, pain from arthritis, eye problems and cataracts that are being treated but not always as easily treated as would be back home. Unemployment has caused many of working age to migrate to the larger cities in search of jobs and hopefully a better life. Most leaving their children behind to be taken care of by their grandmother. Monica, a sweet old lady, has 6 grandchildren living with her. Two of her daughters have dumped their children, left and broke all contact with her. She is heartbroken but lovingly cares for them all from little tykes to adult age. Her heart steadfastly trusts in God. The delight of the day was to meet Charles, a serious, Godly young man who has produced miracles in his garden. He has studied landscaping and agriculture. His garden is a delight with orange bushes, pineapple and so much more. He takes loving care of it, and praise God is just as gentle with his aging mother. We are thankful he helps our VOH women with their gardens, crops and chickens. Around his mother’s house were so many children- to the delight of Jenna, Tessa and Linda. Bible stories, colouring pages, crayons, bubbles and lollipops. Such a treat for them! They followed the team from house to house as we did three nearby visits. It was another full day. The sun was burning hot but thankfully we were able to visit outdoors in the shade. God has enabled us to do the work we set out to accomplish. To Him be the glory. Join us in prayer that the seed of the Word of God sewn in our visits will sprout and bring forth fruit to the glory of God. Written by: Helena