The Boos Family

Pokot Orphanage

The Boos Family- Jonathon, Sheri, Jonathon '16 and Lauren '18

Through Kensington Church Jon and I had a chance to go on a mission trip to help serve the Pokot Tribe, a largely forgotten nomad tribe living in the sub-Sahara desert conditions of northwestern Kenya. Our initial mission was to help bring clean water to the Pokot through funding and digging wells throughout the region. Within the Pokot region, which covers thousands of square miles, our church supports three orphanages and uses these as our base camps each day. While staying at one called Chemolingot, we learned of another major need of the Pokot orphans. In this region they are still practicing the act of FGM (female genital mutilation) and it is done to girls as young as 12 years old.  They had a list of 65 girls they wanted to bring in the orphanage but had no place to house them, they wanted to save these girls from FGM and educate them in safe environment. Jon and I both left knowing that a new dormitory needed to be built for these girls! Thanks to a partnership with Suite Dreams and many others that dorm was built in a little over a year.  We had such amazing people willing to help we were also able to build proper bathrooms and sponsor these girls for a year. It was with great joy I was able to go back with my daughter Lauren to see the completed dorm and meet amazing young girls who lives are forever changed.  ~ Sheri Boos

Emily Luft '21

 Grace Center of Hope

By: Emily Luft '21

Once a month my family, friends and I go to Grace Center of Hope – a homeless shelter and rehabilitation center that provides housing, food, and training for those who do not have a home.  We make food and serve the food to the people living there. The shelter is for families or individuals are trying to get back up on their feet.  The shelter provides more than food and shelter; they have classes and training on things like job training, family care and healthy living. When I go to the center, the people living there are so thankful and we always put a smile on their face, which puts a smile on my face. I hope we keep doing this for a long time.