Cynthia Bauer

Cynthia was raised in Hampton, New Hampshire where her parents still live today. She is the oldest of four children, including two sisters and a brother. She was born with a congenital limb deficiency, but she was not always able to talk about her disability openly. She never really considered being born without her left hand to be a disability--just something that made her “different”. Her friends and family also thought that the word “disabled” never applied to her. Growing up, Cynthia spent a great deal of time at the Shriner's hospital for crippled children. Though she chose not to use a prosthetic arm (it often got in the way of her guitar and piano playing, typing, etc.), she was able to spend a lot of time around a variety of children with disabilities and witness how they were helped. It was this experience that made her aware that people with disabilities in Kenya could be helped if given the right opportunities.

Later Cynthia went on to attend the University of Maine where she majored in Wildlife Management/Conservation Biology. She also spent some time working for the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Audubon Society in Southwest Florida. Afterwards, Cynthia attended Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a master's degree in Applied Ecology with thesis work completed on the coast of Kenya. It was during her time in Kenya that she worked with a Christian conservation group called "A Rocha" while researching the effect of illegal logging on the rare golden-rumped elephant shrew. On her frist trip to Kenya, she encountered a man begging on the streets with the same handicap as herself. It made her reflect on the types of opportunities she would have had if she had not been brought up in a family and a culture that allowed her to be anything she wanted. She also encountered the condition of children with disabilities that left a profound impression on her. Over time, she discovered that her love for African wildlife continued to draw her to another very important cause. As she has said repeatedly, this charity seemed to have been brought to her.

As a child, she often wondered why God would allow her to be so different. Today, however, she is confident that if it hadn't been for her birth defect, she might not have been drawn to these children in quite the same way. Through her own experiences, she can admit what it's like to stand out. She knows the desire to hide from other children or just keep to herself so that others do not stare or ask questions. She has come to believe that God "comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:11). God has empowered her to get over the self-pitying attitude that can be so easy to fall into and do something outside herself using her struggles. As Cindy realizes, each one of us has our own "handicap" to overcome, though some are more visible than others.

Today, in her role as Executive Director, Kupenda's growth continues to amaze her. Whenever she asks herself "who am I to be doing this?"--God keeps pushing her forward. She is humbled every time a new person contributes time or money. God has brought so many amazing people with such a variety of gifts and abilities into this project. Each supporter is an incredible blessing to the children and to her own life.

If you have any questions or comments about Kupenda, Cynthia would welcome your emails. Please contact her at cynthia@kupenda.org.


	About Kupenda Children Ways to Contribute Photo Gallery News & Events Mission History About The Founder: Cynthia Bauer People of Kupenda Where is Kupenda? FAQs Financials Contact Us U.S. Advisory Board U.S. Board of Directors Cynthia Bauer Lauren Blair Patrick Blair Jeff Gentry Anthony Maranto Carissa Mortenson Melissa Kane Michele Reber U.S. Volunteers Kenya Committee Kenya Staff Cynthia Bauer Cynthia was raised in Hampton, New Hampshire where her parents still live today. She is the oldest of four children, including two sisters and a brother. She was born with a congenital limb deficiency, but she was not always able to talk about her disability openly. She never really considered being born without her left hand to be a disability--just something that made her “different”. Her friends and family also thought that the word “disabled” never applied to her. Growing up, Cynthia spent a great deal of time at the Shriner's hospital for crippled children. Though she chose not to use a prosthetic arm (it often got in the way of her guitar and piano playing, typing, etc.), she was able to spend a lot of time around a variety of children with disabilities and witness how they were helped. It was this experience that made her aware that people with disabilities in Kenya could be helped if given the right opportunities. Later Cynthia went on to attend the University of Maine where she majored in Wildlife Management/Conservation Biology. She also spent some time working for the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Audubon Society in Southwest Florida. Afterwards, Cynthia attended Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a master's degree in Applied Ecology with thesis work completed on the coast of Kenya. It was during her time in Kenya that she worked with a Christian conservation group called "A Rocha" while researching the effect of illegal logging on the rare golden-rumped elephant shrew. On her frist trip to Kenya, she encountered a man begging on the streets with the same handicap as herself. It made her reflect on the types of opportunities she would have had if she had not been brought up in a family and a culture that allowed her to be anything she wanted. She also encountered the condition of children with disabilities that left a profound impression on her. Over time, she discovered that her love for African wildlife continued to draw her to another very important cause. As she has said repeatedly, this charity seemed to have been brought to her. As a child, she often wondered why God would allow her to be so different. Today, however, she is confident that if it hadn't been for her birth defect, she might not have been drawn to these children in quite the same way. Through her own experiences, she can admit what it's like to stand out. She knows the desire to hide from other children or just keep to herself so that others do not stare or ask questions. She has come to believe that God "comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (2 Corinthians 1:11). God has empowered her to get over the self-pitying attitude that can be so easy to fall into and do something outside herself using her struggles. As Cindy realizes, each one of us has our own "handicap" to overcome, though some are more visible than others. Today, in her role as Executive Director, Kupenda's growth continues to amaze her. Whenever she asks herself "who am I to be doing this?"--God keeps pushing her forward. She is humbled every time a new person contributes time or money. God has brought so many amazing people with such a variety of gifts and abilities into this project. Each supporter is an incredible blessing to the children and to her own life. If you have any questions or comments about Kupenda, Cynthia would welcome your emails. Please contact her at cynthia@kupenda.org.