A Journey Across Kenya and Uganda
In September 2025, a team from INNZ travelled through Kenya and Uganda on a Discovery Trip to visit communities and projects bringing transformation through faith, education, health, and access to clean water. From the crowded streets of Nairobi to rural villages and island communities in Uganda, we were welcomed into places where hope is growing — often in the midst of significant challenges.
This trip gave us the opportunity to see our partners’ work firsthand, listen to stories from the people at the heart of each project, and better understand how generosity from supporters in New Zealand is making a lasting difference. What we encountered was not just need, but resilience, leadership, and faith in action.
What We Saw Along the Way
Kenya: Bible Clubs in Korogocho Slum
In Korogocho — one of Nairobi’s largest and most challenging slums, built on a dumpsite — more than 80 children now gather every Saturday at a local Bible Club. What began in 2025 as a bold step of faith by International Needs Kenya is already transforming young lives.
The programme brings together education and Gospel outreach, offering children a safe space to learn, play, eat, and grow spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Before the club launched, parents and guardians were consulted and responded with enthusiasm, eager to see their children raised with strong values and faith. Today, trained local volunteers lead the sessions, nurturing a sense of hope and belonging in a community where safe spaces are rare.
As Executive Director Jocelyn Muraya shared during our visit:
“Together, we are sowing seeds of hope in Korogocho — seeds that will one day grow into leaders, change-makers, and ambassadors of the Gospel.”
Learn more about the Kenya Bible Clubs Project by clicking HERE.
Kenya: Ark Quest Education Centre
Our visit to the Ark Quest Education Centre in Vihiga County was a powerful reminder of how education can change the course of a child’s life. Founded by Calvine Ominde as a small feeding programme for eight children, Ark Quest has grown into a thriving school of nearly 150 students and is now ranked as the top-performing school in the county.
Beyond academics, the school operates a sustainable farm and dairy that feeds students and their families while equipping children with practical agricultural skills. During our time there, we were deeply moved by the strong sense of community surrounding the school. We spent meaningful time with the children, teachers, and staff, and connected with parents who shared powerful stories of how sponsorship is transforming their children’s lives.
👉 Watch the video and hear from Ark Quest parents sharing their inspiring reflections.
One highlight of the visit was distributing food parcels filled with essential items such as flour, rice, sugar, oil, and soap, along with delivering much-needed learning resources including textbooks, stationery, and science equipment — investments that will continue to shape learning long after our visit.
Learn more about the Ark Quest Education Centre by clicking HERE.
Uganda: Makonge Medical Centre
In rural Uganda, we visited Makonge Medical Centre, which serves island communities and surrounding villages with essential healthcare services including maternal care, immunisations, and general checkups. The centre faces significant challenges, particularly severe understaffing following recent foreign aid cuts, with more than 700 HIV patients currently waiting for support.
Despite these pressures, the dedication of the medical team was deeply moving. We witnessed compassion in action as staff continue to care for their community with limited resources. We also visited the medical staff headquarters, funded by New Zealand supporters — a tangible reminder of partnership and hope in the midst of ongoing need.
Learn more about Makonge Medical Centre by clicking HERE.
Uganda: Clean Water, Changed Lives
The Uganda WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) Project has transformed daily life in villages such as Bufumbe, Monde, and Wankwale. Before the project began, families relied on unsafe pond water, leading to frequent illness, cholera outbreaks, and children missing school. Today, boreholes, water tanks, toilets, hygiene education, and trained pump mechanics are bringing clean, safe water closer to home.
These changes have dramatically improved health outcomes and school attendance. Each village now has a trained WASH committee to ensure long-term sustainability, while schools run WASH clubs that teach children the importance of hygiene and care for their communities. In 2025, a new phase — WASH III — began, strengthening earlier work and ensuring these life-changing systems continue for generations.
Learn more about Uganda WASH by clicking HERE.
A Moment That Stayed With Us
Across Kenya and Uganda, one thing stood out clearly: transformation lasts when communities are empowered to lead their own change. Again and again, we saw local leaders, teachers, volunteers, and former sponsored children now serving others through International Needs programmes.
Meeting people like Paul — once a sponsored child and now serving with International Needs Uganda — alongside other social workers who were once sponsored themselves, reminded us that sponsorship and partnership create ripple effects far beyond one individual. These are stories of faith passed on, opportunities multiplied, and hope taking root.
Watch the stories of transformation and hear from Paul and other social workers as they share how sponsorship shaped their journeys — from being supported as children to now walking alongside others as they build brighter futures.
Learn more about Sponsorship by clicking HERE.
🎧 Listen and watch: Reflections from the Discovery Trip
Want to hear more from the team who experienced the trip firsthand? In the latest INNZider podcast episode, Rochelle (Education Programme Coordinator) and Connie (Marketing & Fundraising Coordinator) share stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes moments from the Kenya and Uganda Discovery Trip.
👉 Watch INNZider Podcast Episode 4
Looking Ahead
Discovery Trips give us the privilege of seeing the work of our partners up close and returning home with stories of impact to share. They strengthen relationships, deepen understanding, and remind us why walking alongside communities matters.
Our next Discovery Trips are planned for 2027, so stay tuned for future updates and news as we begin preparing for where we’ll be heading next.