The James Project
- Machakos, Kenya -
“Pure, undefiled religion before God the Father is this…”
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Widows.
In the wake of the HIV-AIDS epidemic, civil unrest, poverty, and countless other challenges, this region of Kenya is home to thousands of widows many might consider a burden. But where others see burden, we see an opportunity to fulfill Christ’s call to love the most vulnerable, and we also see empowering, self sustaining business potential.
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Orphans.
When an orphan is sent to a traditional orphanage, they lose everything—family land, assets, and their home. The James Project identifies orphans needing a home and pairs them with widows in the community, creating a mutually beneficial, community-based solution to a widespread problem.
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Agriculture.
The James Project and AgGrandize Global are partnering to develop sustainable food solutions so these orphans and widows can cultivate their own food, without dependence on outside help! This move from dependency to dignity takes time and funding, and anything you give toward this effort will help create strong, locally-led businesses that help the region transcend food dependence.
“Traditional orphanages often become surrounded by people who don’t have the children’s interest at heart, they just want to get something from the orphanage or the orphans. It’s not good for children to be without parents or adults who have their interest at heart. So we don’t have an orphanage, we have a different, community-based model of orphan care.”
—Elizabeth
Meet Shadrack.
With a college degree in one hand and a notebook full of business plans in the other, Shadrach’s years as a helpless orphan are far behind him. Thanks to this giving community, Shadrach received the nutrition and education he needed to fulfill his dream of graduating and becoming an entrepreneur.
Volunteers Are Critical
A lot of nonprofits appreciate their volunteers, but The James Project would not exist without them.
People like Beatrice (pictured), who show up again and again to love their neighbors, are the glue that holds all of this together. Get to know Beatrice and her history of volunteering below.
History of The James Project
Founded in 2011, The James Project was born out of a friendship between a young Kenyan man named Meshach and an American cattle rancher named Don Meeker. Passionate about loving his home community, Meshach along with his wife, Elizabeth, created a way to serve orphans and widows with education funding, HIV treatments, medical care, food support, and much more.
In Kenya, most orphans end up in an institutional orphanage—widely considered a ‘dead end.’ The James Project keeps these children in their homes and away from orphanages by supporting widows willing caring for orphaned children.
Orphans involved in the project enjoy a 100% retention rate in school and the business opportunities for local widows provide life-sustaining income in an area where anyone associated with HIV-AIDS face social stigmas and few opportunities.
Bridge the gap.
When you learned of widows and orphans without food, there was only one way to respond: you fed them! But we aren’t leaving it there.
You’ve helped keep this community fed on emergency rations, now will you help them feed themselves? We’re piloting agricultural business in the community to help widows sustainably cultivate their own food as they care for orphans in the community.
