"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
Since 2003, UPPC has been partnering with Hope International Ministry Trust to educate, equip, and empower children in Meru, Kenya through child sponsorships, caregiver visits, and community support. Believing that Kenyans are the best ones to lead change within their own communities, Cherish focuses on supporting Kenyan organized initiatives that help the next generation of Kenyans break the cycle of poverty and be agents of change within their community.
Ministry updates
Catch up on what is happening within the Cherish Meru Ministry. Updates provided 2-3 times per year.
Find the Information You Need
Cherish Sponsorship
Help a child in Meru, Kenya receive the education they need!
Each Cherish Sponsorship helps to educate, equip and empower a child in Kenya whose family cannot afford to pay for their K-12 education. Unlike the public school system in the U.S., families in Kenya are required to pay fees and, in many cases, tuition for their children to receive basic K-12 education. If a family is unable to pay for the fees/tuition, their child is sent home, often unable to return until all the mandatory fees and tuition are covered. Sponsorship not only helps ensure a student stays in school, it gives them a mentor and advocate from Hope International Ministry Trust who helps prepare them to care themselves and their families, materially, emotionally, and spiritually, once they become adults.
Sponsorship Rates
Sponsors may donate annually, monthly, or by trimester. Trimester donations are due before March 5, June 5 and October 5.
Preschool - Grade 6: $354/year
($29.50/month; $118/trimester)
($29.50/month; $118/trimester)
Grades 7-12: $585/year
($48.75/month; $195/trimester)
($48.75/month; $195/trimester)
Questions about sponsorship? Email [email protected].
*If you are not current sponsor, please email [email protected] with the student you wish to sponsor before making a sponsorship donation.
Watoto - A Ministry Branch of Cherish
Cherish's Watoto Ministry partners with local groups in Meru and neighboring Laikipia County, Kenya to provide supplementary support to vulnerable K-12 students and their families. Watoto, meaning "children" in Swahili, serves groups of children within a particular school or geographic area, and focuses on projects that allow students to succeed in school and their families to break the cycle of poverty.
Current projects include providing lunches in schools in Meru and Laikipia counties with a large population of students who would otherwise receive one or fewer meals per day. Read about the difference one meal can make.
Current projects include providing lunches in schools in Meru and Laikipia counties with a large population of students who would otherwise receive one or fewer meals per day. Read about the difference one meal can make.
A donation of $30 to "Watoto" can feed 10 students for one month.
Other Support Opportunities
Extra Family Gifts
Extra Family Gift funds are used to provide extra assistance to sponsored families who are struggling to pay for food, medicine, and other basic necessities.
Where Needed
Donations to "Where Needed" help our Kenyan partners cover the operational costs needed to run the ministry and any additional needs not covered by other funding sources.
Information for Existing Cherish Sponsors and Donors
Writing to Your Sponsored Child
Your relationship with your sponsored child may be as important as your financial contribution. Most students are thrilled to have an American friend or “mum” or “dad.” They will thank you and thank God for you and will pray for you. If you are sponsoring a very young child, you may want to write directly to the parent or guardian. Please do not send cash or anything of value. More information on letter writing and boundaries can be found here.
Envelopes should be addressed as follows:
[student name]
c/o Elijah Mwirigi
PO BOX 2868
Meru, Kenya
See USPS.org for information on international mail options.