My heart overflows with gratitude as I think back on the incredible journeys of those we’ve had the privilege to serve over the past nine years. As we prepared the last few months for this year’s end-of-year giving campaign, I’ve spent time revisiting so many powerful stories of transformation—each one made possible because of your generosity. One story, in particular, stands out to me: the story of Stevo.
Back in 2017, Paul and I were called to a rural school to meet a boy in urgent need. A caring teacher had been looking after him, and that’s where we first met Stevo—a child whose circumstances had taken away his hope and childhood. Steve recently told me, “I wondered why God put me in this world. Looking at my situation back then, I didn’t see an outcome that was promising.”
Later this month, Stevo will take his plumbing certification exam after completing his second year of trade school. It may seem simple, but that’s what restored hope looks like. His story is changing the orphan narrative—because of you.
Step by step, we’re creating new beginnings—just like Stevo’s.
On this page, you’ll read stories of lives transformed through Zoe’s work. I invite you to pause and see the hope you’ve helped create—through the eyes of just a few. This year, our desire is that you’ll see the step-by-step journey it takes to bring lasting change, and the lifelong impact it’s making.
Leading Zoe allows me to see, again and again, the depth of God’s love at work through our team—from the US to Kenya. Your prayers and support make these stories possible, and we’ll keep sharing them so His grace continues to be known and celebrated.
"Zoe is a bridge. It has carried me from hopelessness to a life full of possibilities.”
- Stevo
Stevo grew up in deep poverty, facing abandonment, hunger, and uncertainty at a young age. After losing his grandmother and being left with a neglectful neighbor, he struggled to survive until a caring teacher intervened and connected him to Zoe.
At Zoe, Stevo finally found safety—regular meals, a bed to sleep in, counseling, and a community that believed in him. Over time, he healed, grew confident, and discovered his passion for hands-on work through Zoe’s water team. He enrolled in trade school to study plumbing, a moment he describes as something he “never thought he would reach.”
“Zoe felt like home… It gave me peace and the chance to focus on my studies.” - Stevo
After completing his training, Stevo was joyfully reintegrated with his father, and their relationship is now strong and supportive. In early 2026, Stevo will begin his first job as a technician on Zoe’s water team—returning to the very program that once inspired him and helping bring clean water to communities just like his own.
His story is a vivid reminder that lasting change begins with small, faithful steps.
When Zoe first met the five brothers from Kisawi, they were living alone—hungry, out of school, and struggling to survive after their parents separated and their father was forced to work far from home. The oldest boy, only fourteen, tried to care for his younger brothers, but their situation was quickly deteriorating.
Zoe stepped in immediately. Our team located their father, shared what the boys were facing, and worked to bring the family back together. By December 2023, the brothers were safely reunited, and their father received a stable job that allowed him to provide for them again. Today, the boys are healthy, thriving in school, and surrounded by love.
“Seeing them now gives me great joy that they will have a better future.” – Elijah, the boys' father
Their story is just one example of how strengthening families prevents children from entering institutions and creates stability for generations. This year alone, Zoe has helped 91 children through family strengthening, reunited 40 children with their families, and prevented 53 children from ever entering institutional care.
children prevented from entering institutional care
families are receiving ongoing support
children are receiving ongoing support
children were successfully reunited with their families
children are currently receiving residential care at Zoe
“I am glad that I have a place to call home, being with my aunt makes me feel loved, safe, and cared for because she is very motherly. I dream of being a doctor someday"- Jane
When Jane entered Zoe’s care in 2018, she had walked through more loss than most children ever will—losing both parents and her grandmother in a short span of time. Though she was safe, the weight of grief left her fearful of attaching to anyone, unsure of what might be taken from her next.
Through patient, trauma-informed counseling with Lydia, Jane slowly began to heal. Week after week, she learned to process her grief, rebuild trust, and rediscover what it meant to feel safe and loved. Little by little, the fear that once defined her began to lift, and she found joy again.Stevo grew up in deep poverty, facing abandonment, hunger, and uncertainty at a young age. After losing his grandmother and being left with a neglectful neighbor, he struggled to survive until a caring teacher intervened and connected him to Zoe.
At Zoe, Stevo finally found safety—regular meals, a bed to sleep in, counseling, and a community that believed in him. Over time, he healed, grew confident, and discovered his passion for hands-on work through Zoe’s water team. He enrolled in trade school to study plumbing, a moment he describes as something he “never thought he would reach.”
In 2023, Jane was safely reintegrated with her aunt, where she now thrives in school and in family life. Zoe continues to walk with both Jane and her aunt through ongoing counseling and support—because healing doesn’t end when a child leaves our care; it’s a lifelong journey.
Jane’s story shows why counseling is at the heart of everything Zoe does. Healing happens through safe, consistent, nurturing relationships—and your support makes that possible for children just like her.
Before clean water reached her village, Alice walked two kilometers every day to collect muddy water for her children and livestock. The long journey kept her kids out of school and left her exhausted, worried, and without hope for a better future.
Everything changed when Zoe repaired the community borehole in 2022. With clean water finally close to home, Alice began farming kale and spinach, selling her produce to neighbors and local teachers. Her income grew, allowing her to buy essentials for her children and eventually start a small poultry business with more than 30 chickens.
“I can now get up every morning with no worry of what my children will eat.” – Alice
Today, Alice’s children attend school consistently, their home is stable, and Alice is confident, proud, and hopeful. Her story shows the ripple effect of clean water—one repaired well leading to dignity, opportunity, and lasting transformation for an entire family.
Clean water didn’t just meet a need for Alice.
It opened the door to a completely new life.
wells were repaired and brought back to service
wells were drilled
and installed
children are now able to attend school because of clean water
new believers
were baptized
“I would like to have employees of my own and if possible be able to help some who are in the same situation I was in, as I empower my community.” - Sheila
At just sixteen, Sheila’s life changed overnight when she became pregnant. Afraid of stigma, her family hid her away, leaving her isolated and without hope. After giving birth, she was welcomed into Zoe’s Teen Pregnancy Center, where she finally found safety, support, and a path forward for herself and her baby.
Through counseling, Sheila reconciled with her family, and through the empowerment program she began learning tailoring, parenting skills, financial literacy, and discipleship. She’s now preparing to take her tailoring certification exam and dreams of opening her own shop to support her daughter, Angel. What once felt like the end of her future has become the beginning of a new one—filled with confidence, dignity, and purpose.
This same program is impacting girls across the region. The sanitary pads sewn by young mothers at the center are now being distributed to local schools and remote villages, helping hundreds of teenage girls stay in class each month. What began as a simple skill has grown into a movement of hope—empowering women and girls, restoring dignity, and strengthening entire communities.
Sheila’s story shows the power of walking beside a young mother—
when a woman is empowered, a generation is transformed.
women are finding community and hope through weekly widow fellowships
wells were women are participating in agricultural initiatives to strengthen their households and installed
menstrual hygiene kits were provided to adolescent girls across rural Kenya
young mothers are gaining skills and confidence through our Teen Pregnancy Center
Zoe’s first nine years have been filled with transformation, but the work ahead is even greater. In 2026, Zoe will expand across every area of ministry to create more step-by-step stories of restoration and hope. A major milestone will be the launch of a new multi-location counseling program, allowing our team to serve more children and families with the trauma-informed care they need.
Next year will also mark the construction of our Water Team Hub in West Pokot—a permanent home base for repairs, drilling, training, and long-term clean water impact. As the water program grows, so will the team, equipment, and capacity to reach even more communities in need.
On our empowerment land near Kitale, new investments will strengthen our women’s programs through additional greenhouses, expanded farming initiatives, and the creation of a roadside market. This space will also become a launchpad for teen mom graduates to start and grow their tailoring businesses.
Every project reflects Zoe’s commitment to sustainable, Gospel-centered impact. With your partnership, 2026 will be a year of deeper healing, greater reach, and more lives transformed.
Your gift will:
- provide direct care to orphan and vulnerable children
- equip vulnerable families with tools for long-term strength
- continue our work of family restoration and reunification for orphaned children
- strengthen and scale our counseling services with a new second site to serve even more families and children
Your gift will:
- provide equipment, parts, and fuel to continue repairing and rehabilitating broken wells
- grow our team to reach more communities in Kenya & Uganda
- establish and equip our new water hub as the central base for all water operations
- provide clean water accessibility to communities who currently lack access
Your gift will:
- equip and sustain the growth of our weekly widow fellowship across multiple locations
- expand our women’s farming program by adding new greenhouses and establishing
an on-site market
- strengthen our support for teenage mothers through our Teen Pregnancy Center
- broaden the reach of our hygiene program for teenage girls through expanded pad distribution in rural Kenya
Our partnership with Zoe Ministries reflects core values of the Nichols family, and our support for their work in Kenya gives us the opportunity to share in the continued efforts to bring the word of God to the people of Kenya . Through water projects, women empowerment, and pastoral training, Zoe has become a lifeline to many people who would otherwise not have the chance to hear the gospel. We are truly blessed to be able to support the ministries provided by Zoe. We are grateful for the chance to help in a small way to see Jesus’s name spread throughout Northwest Kenya.
We continue to support Zoe because of the multiple projects that are continuously bringing new opportunities to the people of Kenya.
•The water projects hold a special place in our hearts because of our life-long involvement in the water industry. Being able to bring clean water to families in Kenya along with the chance to share the living water of Jesus Christ is a blessing beyond measure.
•The new homes for single mothers are a vital ministry for these women so that they have the chance to raise their children with the support of Zoe.
•The mission trips to Zoe provide supporters the chance to meet the Kenyan people and bring realistic perspective to the efforts of Zoe Ministries.
- The Nichols Family
