History

A Letter from the Founder about the History of Kupenda:

This charity is the result of a burden placed on my heart long before I ever even went to Africa. The burden grew on visits to Uganda and Kenya as I saw people begging on the streets with a variety of disabilities that I knew, from experience, could be improved if they lived in the U.S. With each disabled person I met, I would think, “someone should do something.” Somehow God made it clear to me I might be that someone.

I spent a great deal of time struggling and praying over this vague vision of how I might be able to help. I had this burden but didn’t know how I could really make a difference. It wasn’t until I was conducting my M.S. wildlife research on the coast of Kenya that I discovered the Gede Home for Physically Handicapped children neighboring the forest I was researching.

The assessment teacher was my field assistant’s cousin and he shared with me the needs of the school and the children. Many children could not attend due to lack of school fees and those that did were still lacking essential equipment such as hearing aids, artificial limbs and wheelchairs in addition to simple class needs like space and paper. It was a blessing to spend time with these children. They have so much love to give. I took pictures and gathered information to take back to the U.S.

Within months of my return to the U.S. all 26 children at the school had their school fees paid for by various friends and acquaintances. Additionally a few large donations were given for hearing aids, school supplies, sidewalks, classroom construction, etc. I began getting inquiries from other schools
in the district wanting help for their children and schools. With the increase in interest from other Kenyan schools and a willingness of Americans to get involved, this charity was born and is growing. We now have approximately 500 children supported and 11 special needs schools. I didn’t set out to start a charity but God had another plan I guess.

~Cynthia Bauer, Founder