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BACKGROUND Ndoto: For Africa’s Future is a Christ-centered community development organization that works in the Obunga slum of Kisumu, Kenya. Ndoto is a Swahili word meaning “dream.” We aim to give at-risk youth a chance to dream for themselves, their community, and the kingdom of God through education, discipleship, and development. As an organization, we believe that forgotten communities can be transformed from the inside out. Our dream is to see entire communities changed, not only individual lives transformed.

by Allison Schlack When it comes to travel, our story is one of struggle.  As with most couples, we had a desire to get to know each other’s families and friends, see where they grew up, and get to know some of their life.  It becomes exponentially harder, however, when one of us is Kenyan and the other American.  I’ve gotten the privilege of seeing and participating in many facets of Michael’s life, yet there was always an unmet desire for him to do the same. 

“Since I came to this church I got a Bible of my own. I can sit down at home and just read it myself.” – John, 34 “Most churches’ leaders look down on youths, but at our church, I have a place in building the body of Christ.” – Imelda, 27 Long before Ndoto was launched to educate, disciple, and develop at-risk youth, Allison and several other volunteers worked to help plant a church in the middle of Obunga.

Ordinarily, when a student leaves Ndoto before graduating, it’s a sad occasion. Sometimes, however, we are amazed at their maturity and praise God for it! Irene is an example. She joined Ndoto in 2018 at 21 years old, going into her third year of pharmacy school at a top university. With incredible grades, but her single mother raising 3 other children in high school by selling tomatoes, Irene’s family had sold nearly all of their belongings to settle debts.

by Fred Sadia This is not a story of qualified physicians operating in slums. It’s an account of a slum that is producing doctors year after year, young men and women who have overcome all odds to be able to dress in brilliant white lab coats with stethoscopes hanging around their necks. It’s the dream of most Kenyan children to become doctors and study medicine, but because of the high cost of the programs most families cannot afford to send their children.