Josephat’s Bridge to Success
Josephat always felt like his ambition never aligned with his life circumstances. He loved to be in school, but his parents could not afford the fees. There were often gaps in his enrollment, dropping out to work for several weeks or months at a time. Then, inevitably, through sheer will and determination, he would scrape […]
How Chickens Turned Into a Home
A busy paved road runs through the village center of Chimwaza, Malawi. On either side is an assortment of tattered-looking shops, freestanding kiosks and persistent peddlers ready to serve the steady stream of loitering locals there to eat, shop and socialize. Two years ago, entering this scene would have invoked shame and anxiety for Mike […]
One Big Sister’s Great Responsibility
Growing up as an only child, Millicent had a close relationship with her parents. Their family blended into the conventional standards of the rural Kenyan village in which they resided: A breadwinner father who provided a comfortable life for his family. Millicent attended school, lived in a safe home, had access to nutritious meals, water, […]
Life Beyond an Orphanage
After being found on the streets when she was one day old, Esther was taken to an orphanage in the Northern Province of Rwanda, joining the ranks of tens of thousands of other parentless children in the orphanage system across Africa. When she turned 14, Esther moved to another orphanage in the Southern Province where […]
A Mother’s Courage Yields Hope and Happiness
Sharleen was 7 years old when she tragically lost her father, the only immediate family member she knew. Without parents or siblings, Sharleen moved in with her grandmother for a few years, before transitioning to her aunt’s house at the age of 10. It is not uncommon in many poverty-stricken communities for extended family members […]
Nowhere to go: Street children cope with isolation orders
To control the spread of the novel Coronavirus, countries around the world have asked its people to stay inside to practice social distancing. Social distancing involves keeping space (6 feet is recommended by the CDC) between yourself and other people outside your home, avoiding large groups, mass gatherings and crowded places. The recommendation to social […]
The Moment Dignity Emerges
Last fall, hundreds of Zoe Empowers children in Kenya donated their personal earnings to fund a new empowerment group in Malawi. Pamela and John were among those who gave to the effort. Chosen by their Zoe Empowers peers, they would travel to Malawi as the Kenyan representatives to visit their newly funded empowerment group named, […]
A Different Kind of Thanksgiving: Zoe Empowers Children Become Zoe Empowers Donors
Cheering erupted amongst the hundreds of Zoe Empowers children gathered. As of November 27, 2018, $12,415 has been raised by over 1,800 children to donate back to the Zoe Empowers program. The children-now donors-are grateful and generous young people; this is the definition of empowerment.
A Teenage Mother – Not In The Way You May Think.
Miriam felt it was her responsibility to take care of her grandmother and four younger relatives, but being the mom was overwhelming.
ZOE Children Donate $7,100: Margaret’s Story
“I am happy to give part of what God has blessed me with through ZOE. I am now empowered to help others in my community and beyond. I have learned that it is more blessed to give than to receive.”