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Special Opportunity to Respond to COVID-19 in Africa!

Help provide soap, seeds, fertilizer, Bible Study materials, and cell phone minutes to families and communities in Africa. Insufficient infrastructure, supply chains, and resources mean social distancing and "waiting out" coronavirus is impossible without immediate help. Families in East Africa lack food and hygiene supplies to effectively stay safe and healthy in this unprecedented situation.
Seeds of Hope (COVID-19)

Ministry Impact: COVID-19 (Early April 2020)

This is a difficult time for many of us. At this moment around the world, there are very real concerns regarding health, finances, and family. We pray that the love and care of God will be felt by all. If you would like prayer, please do not hesitate to call our office (909-931-1311 ext. 5) or email us at togetherinprayer@empoweringlives.org with your requests. We are here for you. You are not alone. Though we may need to distance ourselves physically from one another to prevent the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), rest assured that we are together in spirit and genuine care.

Many people are wondering how things are going in East Africa right now. There are confirmed cases in almost every African nation. A national leader of Burundi was asked how the country has managed to not have a single case, and his response was very sobering: it's easy to not have a reported case when you do not have any test kits. Significant efforts are being made by all local governments and the related health departments to contain the spread. This is certainly a genuine threat. Widespread exposure could be devastating to societies and communities that lack robust healthcare systems and measures. Please join us in prayer that the current isolated cases remain just that: isolated and contained. Once COVID-19 leaves the major cities of most African countries, it will be very difficult to track and minimize.

As of April 9, there are confirmed cases in Kenya, Tanzania, and DR Congo:

Kenya: 184 cases and 7 deaths between the regions of Nairobi, Kwale, Mombasa, and Kilifi. There are still no reported cases anywhere near Eldoret.

Tanzania: 24 cases between Arusha, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Kagera. There are still no reported cases anywhere near Mwanza or Kalamera/Ramadi.

DR Congo: 98 cases between Kinshasa, Goma, and 2 cases in Bukavu.





There are ZERO cases of coronavirus within almost 200 hundred miles of where ELI serves in Kenya and, to the best of our knowledge, none of our staff or children have been exposed.
That said, across Kenya all boarding schools, including high schools and universities, have been closed. In response, we are working quickly and effectively to bring all of our children safely back to the children’s homes in Ilula and Kipkaren. The staff at both facilities have made arrangements to secure all necessary supplies for up to 30 days in order to limit exposure for the 275+ total children and ELI staff who currently live at the homes and training centers.

Additionally, Empowering Lives International is significantly adjusting how the external and community-based programs will be temporarily carried out. This is not done from a posture of fear but rather to demonstrate to the public that the concerns are real and legitimate. We are sharing how to best limit exposure and spread of the virus with chiefs, elders, pastors, and implementation partners. We are empowering communities and village leaders to follow the national government, the Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization’s recommendations for safety. We are even making our training materials for the making of liquid hand soap more available than ever so that men and women can help protect their families, congregations, and communities.

Due to the lack of robust medical infrastructures in Kenya, we are taking some special precautions to help protect our children, staff, and community partners in the areas where you enable us to serve. We will continue to monitor and assess the situation daily, but as proactive measures into April:

  • All international travel is on hold.
  • Community-based programs are being facilitated by ELI staff and leaders through online platforms and mobile phones.
  • Virtual trainings are being developed for upcoming launch(es).
  • All staff will remain within ELI facilities or within their personal homes.
  • All visitations to the children’s homes and training centers will be stopped.
  • Only essential and pre-approved personnel will travel into Eldoret town.
  • Well-drilling programs in Tanzania have been temporarily paused while our national leadership discusses with the local and national governments how best to proceed.
  • The ELI Academy in Bukavu (and all schools) in DR Congo has been closed indefinitely. The school feeding program has been adjusted to provide unprepared ingredients to the children and families who relied on the daily meal. With the two positive cases in Bukavu, please pray for the people and community of Keredi and the entire South Kivu region.

We cannot express how much your caring emails, questions, and comments have meant to us over the past few weeks. During times like this, we realize even more how much you and your prayers mean to this important work and the thousands of lives it represents.

May the peace of God surround you and your family in a special way. Always feel free to reach out with any thoughts you have and again, let us know how we can be praying for you knowing:

Our hope for you is unshakable because we know that, just as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in God’s comforting strength.” - 2 Corinthians 1:7


With hearts of gratitude as we lean on our Savior,

Your ELI Team and Family




The unique approach that Empowering Lives developed would be recognized not only by the people of Kenya but visiting leaders from surrounding countries. During this season, ELI prayerfully discerned God’s guidance and leadership in order to step in faith through huge doors of new opportunity as the work expanded in scope and geographically.

Children make up almost half of the population in East Africa. The journey now included 200 new children who were adopted into the ministry family, and new relationships between children and sponsors began to change all of our lives for the better.



Responding to COVID-19 . . . Opportunity in the Midst of Crisis

Responding to COVID-19 . . . Opportunity in the Midst of Crisis

Many African communities were short of food and didn't have hygiene supplies when the pandemic arrived in East Africa.

Then people like you stepped in and stood with over 250 community leaders in Africa to empower their people with seeds, soap, Bible study materials, and hope.

Currently, as COVID is making a resurgence in Kenya, there is still much need. The community leaders are doing everything they can to keep people engaged, motivated, and active on the farms and in their homes. Your ongoing care, prayer, and support for these leaders and communities continue to produce a harvest that will last for eternity. Thank you!

Put yourself in an African Village right now:
  • You are supposed to stay at home . . . yet you only have food for the day. There is no refrigerator, freezer, or plastic wrap to preserve food.
  • You're given instructions to stay clean and wash your hands . . . but soap is in short supply and clean water is not readily available.
  • It's been recommended that you plant crops for immediate food security . . . but corn takes 5 months to grow. Where do you obtain the seeds and skills for faster growing crops to yield food within weeks instead of months?
Here is what is happening...

ELI Kenya provided the following items to key Christian leaders in 10 communities where we are currently working. These trusted leaders (over 250 village chiefs, Women of Change leaders, and pastors) distributed these items in order to reach the families in greatest need in their communities:

  • Liquid soap for washing their hands and homes
  • The raw ingredients to make additional soap
  • Fast growing vegetable seeds that will provide food within a few weeks
  • Training and digital Bible study materials to bring hope to hearts and homes

Above all, you provided hope through your partnership with these communities!

Thousands of people have been impacted, and as the pandemic continues, the seeds you planted will continue to multiply and bear fruit.

Seeds of Hope Results

FROM TEARS TO JOY



The absence of seeds and know-how could be seen by the family’s barren garden. The little money that Rhoda’s husband had just earned motivated him to try to cross the Kerio river to reach a marketplace where he could buy some vegetables to help feed their four children. His valiant effort to cross the river ended up sweeping his life away, and the chokehold of poverty quickly tightened its grip on Rhoda and her future.

Rains would soon water the area while others in the village were already planting. The only drops Rhoda’s children saw were falling from their mother’s face as she prayed for a way to provide for them during the COVID-19 national lockdown.

God opened a door because of the generosity of friends like you. Because of ELI’s training programs in the Tururturu, Kenya area, the Seeds of Hope initiative partnered with village leaders there to help the most vulnerable.

Rhoda could not believe her eyes when she was given her seeds and materials. When everyone gathered to pray and give thanks, Rhoda felt an embrace like she had not felt for a very long time. Your gift reached her hands and gave her hope for a brighter tomorrow.

CRUSHING POVERTY



This grandma has struggled to live on the quarter-acre she owns because it consists mainly of large boulders and has little room to grow food. It’s hard to imagine the determination this petite woman has to survive as she sits for hours every day with one tool in her hand: a hammer to crush giant boulders down to inch-size pieces that people doing construction will be willing to buy. Sometimes waiting weeks for a customer, the pile slowly grows while her hope fades because she depends on that income for her very survival.

When leaders in her village partnered with ELI to distribute Seeds of Hope to the most vulnerable, Gogo’s (Grandma’s) name was on their list. The little land she has is now full of growing corn, and she is saving some remaining seeds to replant once she harvests this current crop.

Step by step you are helping ELI build stronger relationships with villages, leaders, and the most vulnerable.




Thank you for standing with those who need empowerment most.
(during checkout please note the recurring option and consider empowering lives monthly)

I want to make a difference today. Please use my gift to:

Help where it is most needed in Africa during COVID-19

Advance this important program in response to COVID-19

Impact communities to overcome COVID-19

$2,000 per community

COVID-19 UPDATE








  • COVID-19 cases are significantly increasing in Kenya at the moment. There are currently more than than 1,000 new cases each day and medical facilities are being overwhelmed nation-wide.
  • To the best of our knowledge, none of our children's home staff or children have been exposed. We have taken significant preventative and proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of our children and staff and the communities in which we serve. We are taking adequate measures to reduce travel on the highway between Ilula and Kipkaren, including trips to Eldoret.
  • Our own quarantine at both children's homes is fully in effect. The homes are stocked with nearly 8 weeks' worth of supplies, medicine, and food.
  • Schools are open to 4th, 8th, and 12th graders, and all possible measures are being strictly enforced to ensure that masks are worn, hands are washed, and desks are significantly spaced in the classrooms.
  • All visitations to the children’s homes and training centers have stopped.
  • Only essential and pre-approved personnel can travel into the town of Eldoret.
  • Everyone is thoroughly sanitized upon return with methylated spirits, alcohol wipes, and soap.
  • Community-based programs are being facilitated by ELI staff and leaders through online platforms and mobile phones.
  • All staff are remaining within ELI facilities or their personal homes.
  • The COVID-19 situation within Bukavu (where the ELI Christian Academy is located) has changed. As of September 15 there are no more confirmed cases.
  • The ELI Academy in Bukavu in DR Congo has been allowed to open! With your support the school was able to build 96 new desks (for distancing purposes), install hand-washing and sanitization stations for each classroom, and improve the bathrooms.
  • National exams for the 6th graders and 12th graders took place early September, and the initial indicators are that the ELI Academy did much better than most other schools due to the at-home assignments and tutoring sessions conducted throughout the COVID school closure.
  • The COVID-19 situation within Bukavu (where the ELI Christian Academy is located) has changed. As of September 15 there are no more confirmed cases.
  • The ELI Academy in Bukavu in DR Congo has been allowed to open! With your support the school was able to build 96 new desks (for distancing purposes), install hand-washing and sanitization stations for each classroom, and improve the bathrooms.
  • National exams for the 6th graders and 12th graders took place early September, and the initial indicators are that the ELI Academy did much better than most other schools due to the at-home assignments and tutoring sessions conducted throughout the COVID school closure.


  • As a nation, Tanzania has taken an approach to cope with COVID-19 in its midst. All ELI staff and well-drilling personnel are following ELI's protocols for social distancing, mask-wearing, and strict adherence to personal hygiene measures.
  • Well-drilling programs in Tanzania continue as scheduled. 6 wells have been drilled and 4 are being finalized before mid-November.
  • As a nation, Tanzania has taken an approach to cope with COVID-19 in its midst. All ELI staff and well-drilling personnel are following ELI's protocols for social distancing, mask-wearing, and strict adherence to personal hygiene measures.
  • Well-drilling programs in Tanzania continue as scheduled. 6 wells have been drilled and 4 are being finalized before mid-November.

This is a difficult time for many of us. At this moment around the world, there are very real concerns regarding health, finances, and family. We pray that the love and care of God will be felt by all. If you would like prayer, please do not hesitate to call our office (909-931-1311 ext. 5) or email us at togetherinprayer@empoweringlives.org with your requests. We are here for you. You are not alone. Though we may need to distance ourselves physically from one another to prevent the further spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), rest assured that we are together in spirit and genuine care.

We cannot express how much your caring emails, questions, and comments have meant to us over the past few weeks. During times like this, we realize even more how much you and your prayers mean to this important work and the thousands of lives it represents.

May the peace of God surround you and your family in a special way. Always feel free to reach out with any thoughts you have, and again, let us know how we can be praying for you knowing:

“Our hope for you is unshakable because we know that, just as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in God’s comforting strength.” - 2 Corinthians 1:7

Seeds of Hope (COVID-19)
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