I took my first trip to Kenya in 2012, While I was there, I stayed in an orphanage of older girls. One night during my stay, a young widow in the community who was the mother of 5 children hung herself. The next day, I visited the widow’s home and witnessed the sheer poverty and despair that had driven this woman to take her own life. Beyond this, I was exposed to a greater problem all together. Orphaned girls between the ages of 13-20 often become “aged out” from support and subject to human trafficking, abuse and cyclical poverty. I was so moved by these encounters that I could no longer overlook this injustice and began to take action.
I started Take Heart as an avenue for us to fight injustice through education and entrepreneurship. I have now gone to Kenya 20 times and each time I am amazed how our continued efforts have greatly improved the quality of life of the people that we serve. The 5K serves as a way for our community to partner with this rural village in Kenya, together we can transform their lives. Please consider making an impact through donating or participating in our race!
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. - Isaiah 1:17 NIV
