Olturot

Greetings from Olturot!

Greetings from Olturot Center! Another amazing school term has come to a close and we want to share some of the highlights. Thank you for your support and partnership as we work together to transform lives through Christ.

Julius Kipkemboi Ngetich,
Head Teacher, Olturot Center

Hope Transforms: A Success Story

Saruni* is a grade four student at MOHI Olturot Center, a remarkable and inspiring achievement for a 21-year-old who has overcome significant challenges to pursue education. Saruni was born and raised in a cultural environment where boys, upon undergoing circumcision, are expected to become morans; warriors responsible for protecting their community and livestock. As a young moran, Saruni fully embraced this traditional role, rarely interacting with outsiders and dedicating his life to safeguarding his people.

Orphaned at a young age, Saruni was placed under the care of a guardian in Olturot village, where he spent most of his life herding livestock for different families. His guardian, a casual laborer, struggled to support a family of six, making access to formal education an impossibility for Saruni. With limited opportunities beyond the warrior path, he never considered school as an option until a life-changing encounter in January 2024.

During a community evangelism outreach, a MOHI social worker and nurse met Saruni and introduced him to the message of faith and transformation. Their words resonated deeply within him, inspiring him to attend church and community fellowships, a bold and unexpected decision for someone deeply rooted in traditional customs. Moved by his newfound faith and a desire for personal growth, Saruni made a courageous choice to enroll in MOHI Olturot Center, despite the cultural stigma and criticism he faced.

Many of his peers ridiculed him, questioning why a 21-year-old would choose to sit in a classroom alongside much younger children. However, Saruni remained steadfast in his pursuit of knowledge, refusing to be discouraged by societal expectations. He has since demonstrated remarkable discipline, humility, and dedication to his studies, proving that transformation is possible at any stage in life.

We are proud of Saruni and we pray that God will continue to work through him. 

*Name changed for privacy

• We are pleased to celebrate the successful graduation of 10 CHE (Community Health Evangelism) women. These women have been equipped with essential health and hygiene knowledge, which will greatly benefit their families and the larger community. We commend them for their dedication and commitment to learning.
  
  
• Our 50 4-K Club member students (a Kenyan program aimed to empower youth through agriculture and environmental stewardship) embarked on a fruit tree planting project within the school compound. The initiative is thriving and will help to promote environmental conservation in the school. We look forward to seeing the trees flourish and benefit future generations.
  
  
• Our junior secondary school students had the privilege of participating in Ignite Programs (a MOHI program that seeks to expose sixth to ninth-graders to Christian values) this term. These sessions have proven to be an inspiration and a blessing, both to the students and the staff leading them. We are delighted by the positive impact of these experiences.

• Pray for protection against illnesses and disease outbreaks, asking for good health among students, teachers, and the entire school community.
  
  
• Ask God to open doors for economic empowerment programs that provide alternative means of income for families who solely depend on livestock. May He bring sustainable solutions for the community.
  
  
• Pray that the gospel may reach and transform more people in this community, drawing them closer to Christ and guiding them towards a future of faith and hope.

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