A Centre of Hope and Teaching in the midst of poverty
Discover the dream and vision that has been given to plant a “centre of hope” in the midst of poverty and despair in Soweto, Nairobi. Most families in Soweto [Click to read more about Soweto] struggle to feed themselves and rarely have the financial means to send their children to school. So many children in Soweto grow up on the streets with little formal schooling and often in bad company. We want to break this cycle for as many as we can and give them “hope” instead.
Our Story
New Hope Education Centre was a dream which God gave to Pastor Edward Owino and his wife Hellen when he used to walk through Soweto on his way to work. Edward struggled for years to try and plant a church and school but with limited success.
Then in 2010 he met Mark and Janet Thornthwaite who had been working with MAF (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) in Australia and came to visit a co-worker in Kenya. That created a partnership which has blossomed and grown. Thanks to Mark and Janet land was purchased and the foundation stone laid in 2013 and finally the New Hope Education Centre was officially opened in 2025.
[Click to watch a video of that journey]
The Need for Sponsors and Supporters
Because so few local students have any funds to pay school fees, the school is largely supported by external donations and gifts from Australia. Individual supporters take on a student and pay $40/mth to the school for his/her fees. Whilst New Hope only offers primary education (years PP1 to 9) some sponsors continue to assist their students through high school and a few even through university or college.
Gifts are channelled through Global Development Group (www.globaldevelopmentgroup.org) Project J786N (Primary and Junior High) or J786NA (High School) who provide the necessary financial supervision and auditing for the project to enable a tax-exempt status in Australia. (please go to our Donate page for instructions)
In the End…..