Who We Are

Our names are Kurt and Cheri Johnson.  Having relocated to Africa from the US last year to teach, the wind has been knocked out of us time and time again as we experience what “need” looks like in Africa. 

We’ve encountered 18-year old orphans forced out on the street, without an education, without connections, and without basic life skills, all for the sake of making room for the next, younger, orphan. 

We’ve seen an entire kitchen devoid of food, somehow hoping to serve 80 young orphans dinner in an hour.

We’ve seen an entire orphanage shut down due to the inability to have paid their staff or their orphans’ school fees for the previous six months. 

We’ve met ten year olds that have never owned or worn a pair of shoes.

As people who are passionate about social justice, we are unable to exist here without trying our best to help where we can.  This has led us to get involved in a number of local orphanages by donating our time and talents.  But as much as this has done, we recognize that we can only have a limited effectiveness on our own.

What We Need

While we are here and have the connections to make an impact where the need is greatest, we have a limited number of financial resources at our disposal.  We are hoping to pair up our time and energy with others’ financing to make an even greater and direct impact.  In turn, you will know that your contribution is going straight toward immediate, and direct solutions rather than a large administrative entity.  There is no shortage of need, and we will do as much as we can with whatever funding we receive.

The Impact

In meeting with the heads of several orphanages and youth programs in our area, we have strategized where needs are greatest and where our assistance can be of the most use.  Some of the things we are hoping to do, depending on the amount of resources we receive from generous donors like you include:

• start an apprenticeship program for teens forced out of the orphanage system due to overcrowding
• support the creation of a halfway house that would help transition teens out of the orphanage system
• provide emergency provisions to local orphanages in desperate need

Other Ways You Can Help

Even if this is not the time or place for you to donate, please take a moment to let others know about what we are doing.  We appreciate your support and are grateful for your positive thoughts! Please help us spread the word by posting this on Facebook, placing a link on your blog, or telling your friends and neighbors.