A Journey To Endless Possibilities

Samuel's* story is one of resilience, courage, and an unwavering belief that his life could be different. Even when the odds were stacked against him—even when his culture told him otherwise—Samuel held on to a dream.

At just 17 years old, Samuel has already lived through more than many his age. He comes from a remote pastoralist community in northern Kenya, where young boys are expected to herd livestock from an early age. For Samuel, this expectation became a barrier to the one thing he loved most: school.

He was only in Grade 1 when his parents forced him to drop out.

“I cried so hard when I was forced to drop out of school. It was so heartbreaking seeing other children going to school while I was left behind to look after our livestock. I could not believe that this was the life I was going to live.”

Samuel didn’t just enjoy school—he thrived in it. He loved learning, being with classmates, and the structure of the classroom. Herding animals under the scorching sun, often without food or water, was a painful contrast to the life he longed for.

He would watch other children walking to school, neatly dressed and full of purpose. Samuel admired how they carried themselves. In his eyes, they belonged to a different world—one he desperately wanted to return to.

But tradition in his community ran deep. Cultural expectations defined strict roles for men and women: boys were trained for responsibilities like herding and hunting, while girls were tasked with domestic chores. Samuel never fully accepted these norms. His resistance to them often caused tension at home, particularly with his father.

Eventually, those tensions came to a head. In search of a better life, Samuel made the bold decision to leave.

He journeyed to Kargi, a nearby town, with no clear plan—only a desire to start fresh. While there, he came across a group of children playing near one of MOHI’s centers. They welcomed him without hesitation. One of them invited Samuel to church.
The next Sunday, Samuel returned. That’s when MOHI pastors and social workers noticed the new boy and took the time to listen. He told them his story—how he had left home, how he had once dropped out of school, and how he was now living in a small manyatta (traditional hut) he had built for himself in Kargi.

Moved by his story, MOHI staff enrolled Samuel at the Kargi Center. It was the moment he had been dreaming of. He was placed back in Grade 1, right where he had left off years before.

Samuel jumped at the opportunity. He was eager to learn new subjects and languages, especially since he had only spoken in his native dialect before. He quickly picked up reading and writing and built strong relationships with his teachers and classmates.
His spiritual journey also took root. Samuel was captivated by the way other students read the Bible and prayed, so he asked his teachers to help him learn. That desire grew into a deep and personal faith. Today, Samuel has read from the book of Matthew through to Romans.

In Grade 3, his leadership began to shine. He was elected leader of the school’s Christian Union, a student-led fellowship that nurtures spiritual growth. Samuel took his role seriously—mentoring classmates, preaching the gospel, and counseling students.

Despite his success, life has not been easy. His family has not supported his decision to go to school. In their eyes, Samuel’s break from cultural tradition was a rejection of what they valued. To this day, they offer him no help. But Samuel remains undeterred. His faith in God continues to sustain him.

“I have narrated to my fellow students about the hardships I have faced in life. This serves as encouragement for them to be resilient and determined, which has gotten me to where I am today. I usually tell them how privileged they are to have access to education, nutritious meals every day and decent clothing.”

Now in Grade 5, Samuel has big dreams for the future. He wants to become both a doctor and a pastor—so he can bring healing and hope to his community. His vision is to transform lives by providing access to medical care, better nutrition, and the truth of the gospel.

He hopes to study in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, where he can gain new skills and perspectives. Then, he plans to return home—to serve, lead, and empower others. “I want to positively impact many lives and my journey has just begun. Most of all, I am grateful to MOHI for nurturing and unlocking my potential because I now have a positive outlook on life.”

You Can Help Change a Child’s Story

Samuel’s journey shows what’s possible when a child is given the opportunity to learn, grow, and experience the love of Christ. Right now, there are more children like Samuel waiting for a sponsor to come alongside them.

When you sponsor a child through Missions of Hope International, you provide education, daily meals, medical care, and spiritual guidance. But more than that, you give a child the chance to dream again.

Sponsor a child today—and be part of the story God is writing in their life.

*We’ve changed the name in this story to honor and protect the person’s privacy.