A Father's Vision for the Nanam Community

Deep in the Turkana region, lying nearly 30 kilometers (almost 19 miles) from the nearest main road and government offices, Nanam, a remote community once marked by conflict and hardship, is now witnessing a miracle of transformation.

John, a long-time resident of Nanam village, has lived in this community since childhood. He has witnessed decades of struggles and perseverance. He says, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and those roots spring up and make new trees.”  

The father of seven works as a security guard at the MOHI’s Nanam Center. He shares, “In 1984, this community was displaced after Sudanese forces invaded the region. The village lay abandoned for years until people began returning around the year 2000 to start afresh.”

For years, various basic amenities have been a constant source of stress. With only one public school, that is not enough for all the local children, education has always been a distant dream. All through, education has been scarce. John’s children were among the many who struggled. 

"I had a kid who would write the number three backward," he recalls. "Another one was in grade three but couldn’t even write his name." 

Everything changed when MOHI opened its doors in the Nanam community this year. The school launch was a major event that was attended by hundreds of people. John’s children were enrolled, and he was also fortunate to get a job as a security guard. It was a turning point. 

“When my kids came into MOHI, I didn't even have money to plan how they would join, but surprisingly, they were given school uniforms for free,” he shares.

His children have greatly improved academically. “Now, my kids write well, are able to recite poems and Bible verses in English. They can also speak Swahili. They’re intelligent. Because of them, now I attend church services," John says, his voice brimming with pride. John’s spiritual life has also improved a lot. As part of the MOHI staff, he now attends daily devotions.

His children’s joy is his greatest reward. "My kids come home and say, “Baba (dad), this school is good. Thanks for taking us there.” That alone means a lot to him.

For John, the transformation is deeply personal. As a security guard at the school, his job has lifted his family’s financial status from desperation to hope. "I no longer depend on aid," he says. "Now, with a job, I am able to take care of my family. Unlike before, where my children would go into the wilderness daily to look for anything edible, now they have a balanced diet at school.”

The school’s impact stretches beyond academics. Hope is spreading. John hopes for more than just the rise of an educated generation; he envisions a transformed community. “In the near future, our children will be teachers, doctors, and political leaders,” he says.

He believes that the school is just the beginning; eventually, there will be a health facility and access to empowerment programs for his community. His hope for Nanam’s future is palpable!

He concludes, "This school isn’t just teaching. It is healing, feeding, and planting seeds of hope. And from these seeds, a forest will rise."

You can be part of stories like John’s. When you sponsor a child in Nanam, or any of the communities we serve, you help ensure they have food, care, and the opportunity to experience God’s love. Your partnership doesn’t just transform one life; it ripples through families and entire communities.

Sponsor a child today, and plant seeds of hope that will grow for generations.