When was the Ilula Children’s Home opened?

In 2004, we opened the Ilula Children’s Home in Kenya to 91 children between the ages of three and nine who had lost both parents or had been abandoned.

How many children are in the home now?

91 orphans Meet some of our children  

Where is the home located?

Our home is located in Western Kenya, near the town of Eldoret. We are in the village of Ilula which is situated in the middle of a small community. The children’s home is on the same property of ELI’s training center where we offer Skills for Life Trainings.

How is it structured?

ELI designed our Children’s Homes in such a way as to raise the children in a family setting. Each home is comprised of four families, and each family consists of a set of parents who have taken 12 boys and 12 girls as their children in addition to their biological kids. The children refer to their house parents as mom and dad and their adopted peers as brothers and sisters.

Meet our parents (have bios on each set of parents when you click on their names) (Page 1A2a). The four families live in the same compound where each family has a hut for the girls, one for the boys, one for the parents, and one for eating meals and having devotions in. Where do the children attend school? The children attend a local private Christian school called Samro. It is a short walk from the Children’s Home where they receive a great education that is preparing them for success in the future.

What do the children do in their free time?

As we have encouraged the children to explore and develop their talents, some have found an interest in singing and dancing and have formed a choir that travels to surrounding communities to share the love of God through song, dance and testimonies. Others found their talents in athletics and are thriving on their school sports teams. All of the children are encouraged to dream and to live in the fullness of all that God created them to be.

What does a typical school day look like?

• 5:30 am Wake up and get ready for school and do a few chores
• 6:30 am Breakfast
• 7:00 am Walk to school
• 1:00-2:00 pm Return home for lunch
• 2:00 pm Kids back to school
• 4:00 pm School ends
• 5:00 pm Return home and do chores, homework, and play
• 6:00-6:30 pm Devotions within each family
• 6:30-7:00 pm Dinner
• 7:00- 9:00 pm Children work on homework, personal reading, and settle for the night. Are any children in High School? We had our first group of children enter into high school this year. Click here to read first-hand accounts from some of the children.

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