“All I wish is to make a child happy,” said one American visitor to the Basket of Hope Children’s Outreach in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2009. The young student was introduced to one Kenyan child, Mary, who explained in Kiswahili that her idea of happiness was, “to drink milk and attend school.”

Thus far six beneficiaries – drawn from different ethnic backgrounds and formally introduced to Mrs. Mwaniki by Government of Kenya Community Administrators known as Chiefs and local church pastors – have found sponsors who are willing to meet their bills until they graduate from high school and find a livelihood.

While they live at Early Bird Academy, the children may be visited by both sponsors and guardians. Others on the waiting list include orphans who are living with grandmothers, aunts or Mrs. Mwaniki’s contacts.