The FALL CAMP 2024 Outreach Project is the Heshima Children’s Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Heshima was founded in 2008 by Tracy Hagman and her husband Eric. She is a niece of the late Dr. Richard Jennings, Professor of Engineering at UVA and a longtime member of St. Paul’s Memorial Episcopal Church in Charlottesville.
Heshima means DIGNITY in Swahili. The Hagmans believe that Jesus Christ has a special purpose filled with dignity for children with special needs, and that all human beings are made in the image of God, regardless of their outward appearance. Heshima works with special needs children, providing medical care, physical and occupational therapy, and education for children who would otherwise be forgotten, shamed, or abused.
Two children who recently graduated from the Heshima program are now employed in the local water project that provides clean, low cost drinking water for Heshima and the community. An apartment building on the Heshima complex recently opened for mothers of students and their children. This keeps them safe from abuse and exploitation. Some of the mothers work as cooks in the kitchen, as housekeepers, as teachers’ aids, with the water project, or by making items for sale in their fair trade workshop.
You will seldom see anyone with special needs in Kenya. Heshima is trying to change that. Check out their website, Heshima.org, and read how Heshima got started. You can help support Heshima Children’s Center by making a contribution either at Fall Camp or when you register.
To find out more about the Heshima Children’s Center, visit https://heshima.org.