We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and the many blessings we enjoy every day. We wish you and all of your families a healthy, happy and peaceful New Year!
These photos were taken just after the Christmas party that the children enjoyed very much. You can also see the great progress of the boys dormitory in them!
Jean Conners was an extremely generous and kind donor of An Orphan's Dream, sponsoring Linda for many years along with her dear husband John. Jean passed away on December 17th, 2023 and the children at Oasis of Peace celebrated her life and mourned her loss through a beautiful memorial service. We are eternally grateful for Jean’s dedication and commitment to An Orphan’s Dream and she will be missed, especially by Linda. Please remember the family in prayers and encouragement at this time, as we commend Jean’s soul to Rest In eternal Peace.
The children have gone back to school and will be studying hard for another successful year!
College & University: Linda is in her 4th year of at Kenyatta University working towards a bachelor’s degree in education and Annastacia, Wincate and Risper are working towards a 2 year diploma at Rural Aid Kenya Institute in Nairobi. Wincate is studying nursing, Risper is studying business, and Annastacia is studying journalism.
High School: So many of our children have passed the Kenyan schooling exam and are thriving in high school. Congratulations to Alex, Agnes, Horston, David, Mark, Kelvin, Ann, Benson, Euphraith, Abraham, Esther, Chrispin, and Purity for their continued hard work!
Primary School: The rest of our children are in primary school. They are supported by tutors at Oasis of Peace so that they can flourish in their academics.
Alumni: We are so happy when our children grow into well rounded adults with the ability to support themselves! Magdaline and Joyce were able to go to learn the trade of sewing and have gotten employment with a sewing shop.
We were so thrilled to welcome the Fonte family to Oasis of Peace this summer. The big smiles are a sign of the joyful experience. When the Fonte’s left, our hearts were full. We thank them for being part of the Oasis family and we look forward to the next visit!
It is always great to see old friends and make some new ones at an Orphan’s Dream annual fundraiser! We had many laughs, did a lot of dancing and raised money for a great cause. We were so happy that Gigi was able to join us and she lead us in the dancing! Thank you to all who came out! We appreciate you!
Please meet Caroline, Josephine, Joy, Maryanne, Patience, and Yvonne! They came to Oasis this June and we are so happy to welcome them. They love their new bedrooms and are happy to starting school. We hope that you, your friends, or your family could sponsor one of these amazing children or team up to sponsor one of them as a group.
The girls get settled in their new pink or orange rooms with their grandmothers or aunts who were not able to feed and educate them due to advanced age or poverty. They continue to have relationships with kin visiting them on their breaks from school. Strong bonds to surviving family is very important to us.
There are so many wonderful educational successes to celebrate this graduation season at Oasis!
We are so grateful that Linda is home doing her teaching practicum at the local girls high school where some of her sisters attend!
We congratulate Risper as she graduates with a Diploma in Social Work and Community Development from the Cooperative University of Kenya!
We congratulate Risper yet again for being accepted into a project management program at the Rural Aid Kenya Institute in Nairobi. She will be joined at the Institute by Anastasia who will be focusing in Journalism and Wincate who will be focusing in Nursing! We are so thrilled as these young women pursue these great educational opportunities that will set them up for future success!
We congratulate Trevor (Lucky) yet again for his accomplishments. He has already achieved a diploma in heavy machinery and now is back to receive more training in plant operation!
And we are so proud of all of the children as they study hard for chemistry!
And the children are always learning the skill of farming and caring for animals. Their contribution results in more healthy food for Oasis as well as the knowledge and practice of a trade that can become a career!
The girls learn hairdressing skills which comes in handy personally and can turn into a profession as well!
Guidance, counseling, and community are also essential parts of growth and development and a definite focus at the Oasis of Peace. Here Diana gives a lesson and guides the girls in group conversation.
Joy gives us great joy as she embraces her new journey as a student, receiving her brand new uniform!
It is your brilliant and ever flowing generosity that enables this learning, growth, development and success. From our hearts to yours, we thank you.
Thanks to your generous support we were able begin construction on the boys dormitory! This boys dormitory will house 40 boys and the mothers who will nurture them. It will have 2 living rooms and a kitchen as well. It is a great addition to the grounds and is being built by the same builder who built the original structures.
Thanks to the new space, the Oasis of Peace will be welcoming 10 new children in the next few months.
We cannot thank you enough for the dreams you are making a reality! Please join us in celebrating this huge milestone at the annual fundraiser Saturday, June 17th so that we can thank you in person!
The children had a Christmas party and are very happy! Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for all that you do year round for these beautiful children!
Check out this video update to see the progress on the ground for the new boys dormitory!
So many of the children passed their exams! Thank you to all of our sponsors for your prayers and support preparing the children for this important moment! We are all filled with joy as we celebrate this moment with them!
We mourn the loss of our dear friend and newest board member Joan O’Neil. Her friends called her Joanie and the term of endearment brings her vibrant energy, deep faith and sweet demeanor to mind.
Joan was beautiful inside and out.
Joan pictured left, with Julia and Symon to her right at the last Orphan’s Dream Fundraiser.
Joan pictured left, with Julia to her right at the last Orphan’s Dream Fundraiser.
We honor and remember Joan O’Neil, a recent addition to An Orphan’s Dream Board and a deeply faithful and inspiring woman. Joan was excited about the cause and committed to supporting it. In lieu of flowers, Joan’s family recommended contributions to and Orphan’s Dream instead. All donations in Joan’s memory will be matched 100% up to $5,000 total.
Please find a letter from our President, Symon Maringa, below:
It is very sad and shocking to lose Joan, one of the newest members of our board, so suddenly.
Joanie was very enthusiastic right from the moment she was introduced to us. She was overflowing with ideas for us to expand our support base. and we looked forward to a great future working with her. She defied all odds to attend our meetings, virtual or in person and contributed to our discussions immensely, intelligently and passionately.
To her family we send our deepest sympathy and condolences.
It's our prayer God will rest Joanie's soul in eternal peace and grant her family fortitude to bear the loss with hope and confidence in God's embrace.
To all who have been touched by the passing on of Joanie who in a very short time was a dependable friend, May God be your Peace and Comfort.
Yours Sincerely,
Symon Maringa
