Pictures of John and Vera Packhard, the founders of Vision Africa (now Raising Futures - Kenya.
Above: In Kenya

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Our Charity connection is maintained by Christine.  (updated by Christine Summer 2019)

Did you know the story behind Raising Future's Kenya?  RFK was formally known as Vision Africa.  Vision Africa was founded by Rev and Mrs Packard in 2001.  In the 1990's the couple moved to Kenya from the North of England  to work as chief  administrator's at a independent children's home in Nairobi . They learnt a lot  during their time at the children's home in Nairobi.  When they left their roles there was to be a practical expression of their Christian faith when they founded a charity that would support vulnerable children and young people in the country they now called home.  Vision Africa was born.
 
The Start of Raising future's Kenya.  May 2018.
 
To run all the projects.  Successfully Raising future's.  They had to become smaller. 
 
So Some seed of hope centre's are now Run by Boo chartie  
The children's home in North Kenya has became a youth centre   .
 
64 Children  from both homes have been placed  in their own family's or with a family Aunt or Uncle.  This is managed  by helping  out with school  uniforms  care and support  to the family.  It costs £100 for 7 home visits 
Kandara children's home is still running  along with the baby unit.  But ran by the council.
 
Village of Hope in Ngando slums is helped by Aumka and is still running. 
 
Projects like the 2 special schools.  They found it was better to not sponsor a child individually. 
But to sponsor the whole projects are better ran when the whole  project  is sponsored. Which means all children  benefit  and repairs get done. 
 
Seed of hope centres have shamas ( garden to us ) They grow produce to give the girls breakfast and lunch where possible. 
 
Debs ( granddaughter to Rev and Mrs Packard ) has passed her role to Mary in Kenya who has done a good job she's been with Vision Africa since a young girl.  Mary is presently on Maternity leave.
 
Kirsty couldn't  get a work visa.
 
Debs has become a trustee in Kenya. 
 
Launch of the new brand name.  Raising Future's Kenya.  Dec 2018.
Mrs Packard  used to always give a story about both boys when she came. 

Here are their stories....
Martin
Martin now 28 years old. 
Came to live in Kandara children's  home at age of 5 yrs.
He lost his single Mum at 5 years old.  He went to live with Grandma.
But she struggled  with food clothes and schooling for Martin so he came to Kandara children's  home to live.  He done well being sponsored into school and had good marks .
The found he had 2 talents.  One he's a great artist and the 2nd was when the home got a computer.  Martin learnt the in and outs of the working of it. 
He left school age -16  yrs 
Living outside the security of the home live was tough.  But he had a job.
He's made it to a good position with a computer company .
He's doing well.  I still keep in touch with him.

Ezra
Ezra now age 25 years.
He came to live in Kandara children's home  at a young age.
Bright little boy who always looked up in the sky at planes 
He then dreamed of being a pilot. 
Ezra  when a teenager worked hard. 
He was the first Kandara child to go to university ( with support ) to learn Meteorology.  
He won a place in the commonwealth games, to represent  Kenya and with support, he came to the UK.   Ezra went up in a glider plane with Bob Dowty  and did a few other amazing things.
To date  he has just graduated with a big party in Kandara children's home. (2018) 
Big news he's training with Kenyan airlines.  Hopefully job very very soon (2019) 
I keep in touch with  Ezra. 
 
Ezra and Martin are great friends. 
With thanks to Raising Future's Kenya/Vision Africa.  For your help and support 
Thanks to the boys for allowing this. 

Click here for a link to their website and find out more about the fantastic work they do.