Published by Mirror of Hope CBO

A sponsorship may begin with a child, a school place, and a promise of opportunity. Sometimes the impact travels much further, into adulthood, into careers, into friendships, and eventually back into the lives of the young people who come after.

This edition of The Hope Journal, the newsletter of Mirror of Hope, is about that journey.

From participants to ambassadors

At Mirror of Hope, sponsorship means more than school fees: a safe boarding environment, food, study time, academic accountability and people invested in each young person’s progress.

Many alumni stay connected through check-ins, holiday programmes and volunteering. Some return to mentor students, help with home visits or share their professional skills.

A reunion becomes a turning point

On 15 August 2026, about 54 alumni and 16 staff met at Karura Forest, Nairobi, for team building, a nature walk, singing and time to reconnect.

Dennis Ochieng

A Software Engineering graduate from JKUAT (2021), Dennis is an IT engineer at a major bank and runs Frenzy Adventures 254, which led the team building at the reunion. Today he is at the forefront of keeping the alumni connected.

Paying it forward

Venessa

Venessa met Mirror of Hope after primary school as a shy, quiet girl who was unsure of herself. Mentorship came first, then sponsorship through high school and university. This August she returned to mentor students in the holiday programme.

It has been a pillar, a source of guidance, and an organisation that believed in my potential.

Venessa

Brighton

Brighton joined Mirror of Hope in 2011 as a shy Grade 3 boy from Kibera. Today he is an art director and filmmaker, winner of Best Set Designer at the 2024 Filamu Festival, and he teaches art to children through Art Hauz.

If someone believed in me when I was a young boy from Kibera, then I want to be that person who helps another young person believe in themselves.

Brighton

August Holiday Programme

From 10 to 14 August, 80 young people took part in five days of sessions on peer pressure, academic performance, sexual and reproductive health and giving back, with Zumba, music and games. Ten alumni volunteered during the programme.

Ken Odhiambo: the person behind the pathway

As Sponsorship Officer, Ken follows each student’s progress and works with sponsors, schools and families.

Mirror of Hope is a family, and once you are here you remain part of us.

Ken Odhiambo

A new chapter for learning in Kibera

For nearly two decades the Kibera Community Library has welcomed 10,000 to 12,000 users a year. Funds raised during Tommy’s Australian tour secured its future, and Mirror of Hope will now keep it open for the community.

What’s happening at Mirror of Hope

Six years of SILC Amani

SILC (Savings and Internal Lending Communities) is delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program. The Amani group celebrated six years together.

Get in touch

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