Christ Church is supporting the Arise & Shine Kironya Empowerment Group in Kenya, a group of young people working toward empowerment and self-sufficiency through Zoe Empowers. The Arise and Shine Kironya Group, Kenya has 24 households and a total of 81 youth and children

Zoe Empowers begins by engaging local leaders to help identify the youth and children suffering most under extreme poverty and invite them to a recruitment meeting. Often, more youth show up than there is funding to support and the Zoe staff are faced with the difficult task of selecting participants based on criteria of vulnerability.

Once groups are formed, the young heads of household elect leaders, make rules to guide their meetings, choose a group name, select a mentor, and decide when and where to hold weekly gatherings. The Zoe program facilitators provide guidance, but the youth take charge of their destiny. The first step is to create a “Dream” chart where they draw or write down the challenges and sadness they face, what brings them joy, what they would like to do or have in the future, and what will be their guiding principles to achieve their Dream. They present their Dream document to the rest of the group members which creates solidarity. As they progress through the empowerment program they will often update their Dream chart.

The youth learn from each other and from other Zoe participants during exchange visits, regional training sessions, and presentations by experienced/ graduated Zoe. These relationships also provide a business network. The group selected mentors are trained by Zoe and volunteer their time to serve as adult advocates, guiding the youth to community resources, helping them overcome local challenges, and resolving conflicts.

The priority is to develop reliable sources of income. Initial income activities start small and often involve buying and reselling food items, small dry goods, clothing, etc. Some youth who are already skilled immediately receive start-up kits to begin businesses in trades like tailoring, mechanics, or hairstyling. Zoe urges youth to increase their wealth and financial security through vocational training, expanding their business into new markets, or starting multiple businesses and saving is also emphasized.

Before distributing resources, Zoe trains all empowerment group members on how to craft a business plan and manage money. The youth present their plans to their groupmates and after receiving their approval they are given a micro-grant to purchase initial stock/supplies or a start-up kit of tools to establish a trade business. So youth can access money for business expansion or to address emergencies, the groups establish “table banks.” Members contribute money into the fund which is then made available for low-interest, short-term loans. 

We invite you to join us with extra-mile giving to help support these young people.



Arise and Shine Kironya Group, Kenya, 24 households

Please pray for our Arise & Shine group of young people as they learn, grow, become more confident and self-sufficient.



The heads of household names, gender and age are in bold, followed by their siblings and dependents.

Doreen (f) 19:  Natalia (f) 8; Alvin (m) 2; Favour (f) 6

Moreen (f) 18:  Gipson (m) 7; Melick (m) 2

Junior (m) 17:  Evans (m) 13' Eunice (f) 11' Alfayo (m) 9' Favour (f) 5

Miriam (f) 18:  Ireen (f) 8' Hope (f) 2

Eric (m) 18:  Evans (m) 13

Nick (m) 18:  Nelly (f) 10; Shanteen (f) 8

Josphine (f) 18:  Bravin (m) 5; Emmanuel (m) 3; Mercy (f) 14

Kennedy (m) 18:  Precious (f) 4; Melvin (m) 6

Doris (f) 18:  Shanice (f) 4; Weddy (f) 13; Prince (m) 8

Brian (m) 18:  Nilam (m) 4; Prudence (f) 12

Jeff (m) 17:  Talvin (m) 9; Lewis (m) 7

Vincent (m) 18:  Moreen (f) 15; Jeldon (m) 5

Pauline (f) 18:  Sheba (f) 5; Newton (m) 7; Christine (f) 6; Precious (f) 1

Glory (f) 18:  Melvin (m) 9; Shantel (f) 7; Princess (f) 4; Prince (m) 4

Kelvin (m) 19:  Precious (f) 14; Josphat (m) 8

Purity (f) 19:  Neema (f) 5; Damian (m) 3; Viginia (f) 8

Dickson (m) 18:  Happiness (f) 9; Aston (m) 5

Dancun (m) 18:  Mary (f) 14; Diana (f) 12

Diana (f) 19:  Titus (m) 13; Elsa (f) 3; Maryrosa (f)

Priscah (f) 17:  Rashid (m) 2

Dolphine (f) 19:  Oliver (m) 4; Olive (f) 6

Millicent (f) 18:  Shem (m) 13; Evalyn (f) 7

Idah (f) 17:  Vivian (f) 14

Vincent (m) 19:  Dennis (m) 14; Angel (f) 11; Adrian (m) 4

You can read more about Zoe Empowers here.