ABOUT THRIVE KENYA

What’s unique about Thrive Kenya?

Thrive Kenya’s model is a better and more effective way to meet the needs of these vulnerable children.

Thrive Kenya provides hands on collaboration, prompt assistance and onsite support to our partner homes and all the children they serve. 100% of your donated funds impact the direct needs of the children and are not used for indirect operating costs in Kenya. All funds received support Thrive Kenya's four established programs, which in turn supports our partner children’s homes and their local area communities. Donors can be assured of full transparency as to how all donations are used. Partner homes are founded and operated by Kenyans, and we leverage our partners' vast knowledge, experience, and broad networks within Kenya.

Thrive Kenya’s model provides a more precise scope for a stronger impact and the best possible outcomes.

MISSION

Thrive Kenya strives to change lives of abandoned, abused, and orphaned children in the slums of Kenya. We work to make the largest possible difference and a lasting impact, as soon as possible.

VISION

To be the catalyst for transformation in an environment that cares for the vulnerable, abandoned, and orphaned children in Kenya, uniting and expanding a network of children’s homes, founded and operated by Kenyans, that aspire to provide love, hope and a path toward stability and impactful lives.

So what does Thrive Kenya do?

Thrive Kenya rescues abandoned, abused, and orphaned children who had been living in extreme poverty in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya.

We partner with already existing children’s homes founded and operated by Kenyans. They share in the same passion for these impoverished children and operate with a high level of integrity, accountability and strong moral beliefs and values. Our partner homes, 3 located in the Kayole/Soweto slums within Nairobi, Kenya, and 1 located in the rural area of Homa Bay, Kenya, have been sustainable within their own community while greatly struggling to stay open and care for the children.

This is where Thrive Kenya comes in to help them grow. Thrive Kenya currently assists in the support of over 270 boys and girls who now live in loving and supportive homes. We also provide various community programs to improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty.

Our objective is to make the most impact with the funds raised by having 100% of your donated funds going directly to programs benefitting our children.

This model was developed to unite and expand the efforts of already established Kenyan children’s homes in their work to provide opportunities and give a future to these vulnerable children living in impoverished and distressing environments.

The People of Thrive Kenya

John Harmon (right) with Margret Nekesa (left), founder/director of Smile Community Centre; and Peter Wafula (center), Margret’s son and coordinator to Smile Community Centre.

About the founder:

John Harmon, founder of Thrive Kenya, has a passion for justice and especially for vulnerable children in Kenya, Africa. He spent 12 years involved with a children's home for impoverished children in the rural countryside of Kenya and learned much about the issues of extreme poverty and the systems in place that impact the future of the children living in unimaginable circumstances. He was left with insights as to how "help" could be more effective and efficient, and how issues could be better addressed. 

He then visited the slums of Nairobi and was faced with the extreme reality of slum living that so many children were barely existing within—and thus, THRIVE Kenya was born. He realized that by supporting already existing Kenyan children's homes that shared his same passion for empowering and loving children, so much more could be accomplished to give these kids a future that would not only benefit them, but the environment that they live in.

John spent his 42-year career as a CFO of various companies but found his true passion in the current years helping impoverished children in Kenya live out their lives with hope, dignity, and independence.

U.S. Board Members

  • Warren Harmon, Chairperson

  • Tamera Williams, Secretary

  • Charlie Coggin, Treasurer

  • Joy Ann Harmon, member

  • William Nyariki, member

  • Laura Lofy, member

  • Daonna Start, member

  • John Harmon, Executive Director & Founder

Kenya Board Members

  • William Nyariki, Chairperson

  • Margret Nekesa Khaemba, Vice Chair (Smile)

  • Peter Wafula, Organizing Secretary (Smile)

  • Betty Simmitta, Secretary (Christ the Hope)

  • Ruth Munanie, Treasurer (Place of Grace)

  • Teresia Watere Wanjohi, member (Christ the Hope)

  • Lorna Bolo, member (Rock Brook)

  • John Harmon, Executive Director & Founder