Naomi’s Village Update

Joan meets her sponsor Katy Jensen in Kenya

September 2025 Grant Report - To everyone at St. Anne’s, thank you for your faithful support of Hellen Wangui. Your gifts, love, and prayers over the past year continue to improve Hellen’s quality of life. Through the ministry of Naomi’s Village, she receives true holistic care, quality education, and family empowerment. Together, we are helping Hellen, and her family, break out of the cruel cycle of abject poverty in which she was born.

Hellen Wangui - 13 years old.

Hellen is in the 6th grade at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy. Hellen is a very responsible and disciplined young lady who loves her family and karate, excels in school, is a leader among her peers, and is growing in her faith in Christ.

Spiritual Growth

Hellen continues to attend Apostolic Faith Church in Longonot with her family. In April, she joined the children’s choir, where she is learning to sing, worship, and growing in her confidence. Over the past year, she has become noticeably less shy and more self-assured.

She is also engaging with this year’s Chapel theme, Rooted in Christ from Colossians 2:6–7. The students are working to memorize this passage. It is very important for our students to hide God’s Word in their hearts. Hellen has not yet fully memorized the passage, but she has made good progress and is about 70% there. 

Academic Growth

Academic Performance
Hellen is steadily meeting expectations in her academic work, consistently achieving her goals and understanding the material. Her overall performance is at an average level, showing that she is making good progress across all of her subjects.

Favourite Subject
Hellen especially enjoys Science and Technology, where she recently earned a  solid score of 84%. She has shared that her love for this subject is inspired by her dream of becoming a doctor, a goal that reflects her curiosity and determination. Being a doctor is no small undertaking, and we are encouraging her to continue to be curious and study hard.

Relationship with Others
Hellen is a joyful and caring classmate who enjoys spending time with her friends. She shows kindness by supporting her peers, she really engages in reading activities, and is willing to help others. Hellen also takes part in Bible study during morning devotions, where her thoughtful participation enriches the group. Her classmates really appreciate her desire to work together and build each other up. 

Athletics

As you remember from last year’s report, Hellen is very passionate about karate. She shows great dedication by attending all of her trainings and is always on time. She enjoys interacting with her fellow athletes and thrives in competitive events. Hellen was very fortunate to participate in an international karate tournament in Rwanda. She proudly won a bronze medal, but she was a little disappointed not to bring home the gold.  Hellen’s resilience and determination continue to drive her and she looks forward to participating in future competitions. Hellen was also deeply grateful for the opportunity to travel outside Kenya for the first time.

She loved experiencing the beautiful scenery along the way and often shares joyful memories of her time in Rwanda. The Huye District was her favorite because of the rolling hills and the beautiful coffee and tea fields.

Hellen is known for her responsibility and discipline, traits that are reflected in both her academic life and her interactions with others. She takes her duties seriously, whether they are related to her studies, sports, leadership roles, or personal responsibilities.

Home Life

Hellen’s parents, Joyce Wairimu and John Njung’e, are both healthy and deeply committed to providing for their six children. Each of Hellen’s siblings are doing well in their own stage of life:

Simon (24) – The eldest, who lives away from home, is working in casual jobs to support himself.

Charles (21) – Recently completed Form 4 and is preparing to begin vocational training in mechanical engineering.

Esther (17) – Currently in Form 3 at a local high school and making good progress.

Hellen (12) – The fourth-born.

Lucy (10) – A Grade 4 student at Cornerstone Preparatory Academy. 

Samuel (1 year, 8 months) – The youngest, who is now walking, beginning to talk, and reaching early milestones.

Hellen’s Role in the Family
Hellen continues to be a respectful, responsible, and affectionate daughter and sister. She shares a close relationship with her siblings and often helps care for her youngest brother, Samuel, showing both maturity and tenderness. Though naturally soft-spoken, she communicates openly with her mother and shares her challenges freely.

At home, Hellen enjoys both creative and physical activities. She has recently crocheted a pencil pouch for her sister Lucy, loves playing football with her friend Joan, and has even begun teaching her little brother safe karate moves—showing both her nurturing spirit and her enthusiasm for learning.

Family Progress
The family has made encouraging improvements to their household in recent months. Their home is now fully completed, significantly improving their living conditions. They also own eight sheep and, with tap water now available, have been able to maintain a small vegetable garden, strengthening food security.

The family recently lost some poultry to disease, but they remain hopeful and committed to rebuilding their flock. Looking ahead, the family dreams of purchasing a larger water storage tank. This would not only ensure a more reliable supply of water—especially during times of scarcity—but could also provide a small income through selling water to neighbors.

Hellen’s family is a wonderful example of resilience and progress. The family is steadily moving forward with determination and gratitude. Hellen herself continues to shine as a compassionate, creative, and responsible young girl. Her character and initiative reflect the strength of her family’s bond and the hope they hold for a brighter future.

Because of your faithful sponsorship of Hellen, she and her family are truly thriving. They now look to the future with hope, confident that Hellen has the chance not only to complete high school but also to pursue higher education. This opportunity continues to provide dignity to the family and open doors for them to flourish. With a small family business now providing income, and with the ongoing support of Naomi’s Village made possible through your generosity, a clear path is being paved out of generational poverty.

St. Anne’s is making a lasting difference in Hellen’s life, in her family, and in generations yet to come—all for the glory of God.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are deeply grateful for your faithful partnership in Hellen’s journey.

God Bless,

Julie Mendonsa, Child Sponsorship/Founder

Megan Mondoka, Director of Development

Thank you, St. Anne’s!-

LEAP Preschool Class is fully enrolled

The goal of Sponsorship Sunday was to secure support for 7 students so they could begin LEAP preschool. We exceeded our goal, adding a village of 14 new sponsors sharing their blessings with this last class of 10 preschool students. They will be riding the bus to school this week! St. Anne’s, your compassionate support has grown to 43 sponsors for 64 children from our parish. What a gift! 

Naomi’s Village helps provide the necessary support in the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya so they can grow up to be change makers and leaders for the glory of God. St. Anne’s supports Hellen Wangui by covering her student fees. You can read more about Hellen on the St. Anne’s website here.

If you would like to learn more about Naomi’s Village and child sponsorship, please contact Lori Marchant at lorimarchant2011@gmail.com.

August 2021 Mission Trip Highlights

St. Anne’s parishioners and friends walk to support Hellen and Antony in the Naomi’s Village 5K (2023)