Welcome to Heshima Children's CenterHeshima means “dignity” in Swahili. Most children with special needs in Kenya live a life that is undignified and full of broken dreams. We at Heshima believe that Jesus Christ has a special purpose filled with dignity for children with special needs in Kenya. The Heshima Foundation believes that all human beings are made in the image of God, regardless of their outward appearance. Genesis 1:27 says "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female, He created them."
In Kenya, there are very few private institutions that provide services for children with special needs. The public school system offers nothing. What ends up happening to these children is that they either stay at home, often locked away due to public shame, or they end up attending public school without any help. Most of the children do not have the opportunity to receive special education or therapy- physical, occupational or speech.
Heshima was started with the vision to meet the needs of these hidden children. We provide breakfast and lunch, basic educational instruction depending on the need of the child, as well as occupational, physical and speech therapy. The program is basically free, aside from a monthly donation of $5 dollars by each family. We are located in a small slum in Nairobi called Ngando. 
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Besides working with the children, Heshima also provides the mothers of each child enrolled at the center a job at Dignity Designs. This is our jewelry and textile company that sells locally in Nairobi and through jewelry parties abroad. All sales go toward paying the mothers a salary as well as helping with cost at the children's center.
The community surrounding Heshima is able to buy clean water from the Heshima bore hole that is on site. This micro-business is called "Maji Kwa Heshima" which means "Water for Dignity". Lastly we own and operate a construction company called Dignity Development Construction. This company is providing valuable jobs for the local community. | ||
Directions to HeshimaVisitors are always welcome at Heshima Children's Center. Please contact us to schedule a visit. Follow the directions outlined below. Note; drive under the railroad trestle that is painted "Lenana School" before turning left.
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Several of the children at the new Heshima site.
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