About
Our Vision
To nurture Christ-centered community transformation in Africa.
Our Mission
Empowering African Communities with the mindset and resources to alleviate extreme poverty.
Four Areas of Focus:
Our Organization
Spring of Hope International (SOHI) is a 501.C3 non-profit organization dedicated to improving living conditions and promoting Christian spiritual growth among the poorest-of the-poor in rural Kenya.
SOHI was founded in 2004 by native Kenyan, David Opap, who, being raised in the area, has an intimate first-hand knowledge of the region, culture, and challenges facing these people. Since its inception, SOHI has partnered with hard-working people in this rural Kenyan community empowering them to improve their living conditions. Our approach covers four areas of basic human needs.
Because of the long term relationship we have nurtured, the organization is viewed by the government and community members as a beneficial and effective partner. SOHI’s mission, vision, and approach are focused on the organization being a catalyst to helping local communities to develop affordable, self-reliant and sustainable solutions.
SOHI is a Christian centered non-profit. As such, our motivation and the inspiration for our work in Kenya is driven by our love for Christ and our desire to be His ambassadors in the world for the accomplishment of His purposes.
During His time on earth as a man, Jesus demonstrated His unfailing love for the marginalized and hurting people of the world. He cared about and ministered to their physical, emotional, and most importantly the spiritual needs. The fundamental objective of His coming to earth was to provide the means for all mankind to be reconciled and be in restored relationship with the one true God. SOHI seeks to emulate that level of love. We are in community with the Kenyan people–no better and no worse.
Approach to Poverty Alleviation
Holistic and Sustainable growth are the key ingredients to SOHI’s approach to poverty alleviation. The organization’s foundational premise for addressing poverty is that it must be done through empowerment of the local people. It must address all key aspects of society life rather than a single element; such as clean water alone. And it must produce positive results that that can be self-sufficiently continued and expanded by the local community. History has shown that handouts by themselves actually hinder sustainably improved community life conditions by creating dependency and stifling the confidence and belief of the indigenous people that they are capable of bettering their situation. Furthermore, well-intentioned “spot fixes” that are offered by outsiders who quickly move on to another “needy” region chronically fail to result in lasting benefit.
As such, SOHI has adopted a long-term commitment and partnership in the ever-expanding communities that it seeks to serve. Efforts are focused on collaborating with, educating, inspiring and equipping community leaders and members to implement solutions. Three full-time SOHI personnel live in, and share life with, the community to accomplish this objective. Rather than being an external entity that attempts to direct positive attitudes and actions from afar; they engage and live it with the people. The increasingly proven outcome is sustainable solutions that decreasingly need SOHI participation. The organization works itself out of a job in a particular region and organically expands efforts to equally needy adjacent areas. Indeed, as will be seen in the following sections of this plan, this approach is working.
What does SOHI’s help look like?
- Initial relief, if required (i.e. clean water/child sponsorship/other limited relief if needed)
- Self-assessment by community leaders of existing community assets (including potential assets)
- Self-identification of community needs (and urgency)
- Identifying potential options and evaluating feasibility
- Assessment of long term sustainability by the community of proposed solutions
- Evaluating SOHI’s ability to provide potential assistance—technical, spiritual, financial
- Ongoing spiritual nurturing and training
USA Staff
Our team is comprised of both Kenyans and Americans! Volunteering with Spring of Hope is a great way to serve the Lord! It enables us to channel the majority of the funds to go to the actual projects in Kenya so more lives can be transformed. Interested in volunteering with Spring of Hope? We have needs in the areas of events, technology, social media, and more! Email Admin@SpringHope.org
David Opap
Founder/Executive Director
Kenya Staff
We have four employees on the ground in Kenya to be the daily hands and feet for the work we are trying to accomplish in Kenya. These people are paid just a living wage to enable them put food on the table for their families while they sacrifice their time to help empower the community to come out of extreme poverty.
Grace Orondo
Kenya Office Manager
Elisha Midega
Water Projects Coordinator
Joseph Odongo
Accountant/Office Assistant
Board of Directors
At SOHI, our Board and Advisory committee members lend their expertise and talent to help us come up with effective solutions to challenges affecting communities in our area of service. These individuals volunteer to help us fulfill our mission to bring sustainable community transformation.
Scott Staab
Board Chair
Harry Moomey
Board Member
Keith Kelley
Board Member
Rose Lawrence
Board Member
Advisory Committees
At SOHI, our Board and Advisory committee members lend their expertise and talent to help us come up with effective solutions to challenges affecting communities in our area of service. These individuals volunteer countless hours to help us fulfill our mission to bring Sustainable community transformation.
Water Committee
Economic Empowerment Committee
Education Committee
