We often tell stories about the young people in the various Empower Hope programs. Almost all of them come with needs resulting from extreme poverty. Theirs is not only economic poverty, but spiritual, emotional, social, mental and physical poverty.
We cannot always remove them from their living conditions, but we can give them what they need to change their mindset by consistently meeting with them, listening to their stories, giving wise counsel, providing life skills, teaching them God’s ways and a Biblical worldview, challenging their thought process, and giving them a reason for hope.
Because we believe that the solution to poverty is not charity, but opportunity, we invest our time, resources, and energy by elevating, equipping, and empowering these young people so they break the cycle of futility that pervades the slums and impoverished communities we serve.
Dennis’s testimony is an example of what happens when we make such an investment! He says, “Before I joined Empower Hope, I compared myself to others who were of a higher stature than me and this made me develop a negative attitude towards life which made me change my behavior, mood, my relationship with God and others. I had evil thoughts which affected my academics and I view myself as a failure. I had no plan for the future. I saw myself as not meant for life.”
Since joining Empower Hope, his life has completely turned around, to which his family can attest. “I have come back to God and am rebuilding my life as a Christian.” Now, living life with God at the center, having a new community of friends and mentors, he faces life’s challenges with hope.
There are approximately 2.5 million slum dwellers in about 200 settlements in Nairobi representing 60% of the Nairobi population and occupying just 6% of the land.
It is overwhelming to think one can make a difference but, as a Tanzanian proverb says: “Little by little, a little becomes a lot”