When the Dean Ramsey Pennsylvania Men and Women of Action Team arrived in Kenya, something powerful began to happen. Hammers and paint brushes became instruments of hope as this incredible team kicked off the long-awaited renovation of the girls’ and boys’ dormitories and bathrooms at the Watu Wa Maana Children’s Center.
We had the privilege of joining them for a few days in September, and what we witnessed was nothing short of remarkable. The walls that once showed years of wear and tear began to shine with fresh color. Broken fixtures were replaced with care. New tiles, lighting, and plumbing turned old, tired spaces into bright, welcoming havens for children who have endured more than most could imagine.
But this transformation didn’t stop when the Pennsylvania team returned home. Local volunteers and community groups caught the vision and kept the momentum going—each coat of paint and each repair became an act of love and faith in the future of these precious children.
“I remember touring the dorm area and looking at the sinks and faucets,” shares Alice Sweet, Executive Director of Haven of Hope International. “I noticed boys standing along a drainage ditch brushing their teeth. I asked why they did not use the bathroom sinks. It hadn’t occurred to me that the sinks were not plumbed. There was no water supply. The sinks had been hung in hope and faith that one day they would have water.”
That simple yet profound image captures the heart of Haven of Hope International’s mission—faith in action. The children, caregivers, and teams who serve here have always believed that hope is not just a word—it’s a promise. Today, those very sinks flow with clean water, a daily reminder that faith and partnership bring life where there once was lack.
The photos simply can’t capture what words struggle to express—the joy in a child’s eyes seeing their new room, the smiles of caregivers proud of the progress, and the sense of dignity and belonging that now fills these dorms.
This isn’t just about new bathrooms and fresh paint. It’s about restoring worth, beauty, and hope—a reminder that every act of service makes an eternal difference.
Thank you to the Men and Women of Action, to Dean Ramsey’s incredible team, and to every local hand that kept the project going. Together, you are building more than dorms—you are building dreams.
✨ If you’d like to join the transformation of this campus or sponsor a child, visit havenofhopeintl.org and be part of changing lives—one room, one heart at a time.