The three figures presented in our logo speak of family, individuals, inclusion, differences and togetherness. These individuals are you, your family, your neighbors, your community, your country and your world.

However, I want to draw your attention to the concentric circles emanating from the feet of these individuals. These circles speak of expansion, influence, multiplication and the next generation. These circles speak of teaching and empowering others to learn, to develop and to practice holistic development. It is the sustainability principle of teaching someone to fish and then, they in return, teach others to fish.

I want to share a recent story bringing to life these elements of our logo.

My story starts with the 2007 post-election violence in Kenya. I was there during the revolution and saw much of the chaos, carnage and death that resulted from a disputed election. It was out of this chaos that the BETHLEHEM CHILDREN’S HOME in the Kitale region was birthed. Joseph and Linet stepped forward with big hearts and nothing in their hands to make a difference in the lives of 7 orphans.

Over time, land was purchased, a home was built and a family grew. Children were loved, clothed, fed and sent to school. These same children were soon surrounded by gardens, fruit trees, fish ponds and animals as the result of Jospeh and Linet’s hard work and dedication to sustainability. Joseph attended training for Organic Farming, worked for Organics 4 Orphans to gain experience and then soon taught this expertise to neighbors, to men and women’s prisons and then forming 27 ‘garden’ groups each with 30 participants!

I recently called Joseph and said: “Hey, I want you to visit our AKAE project in Eastern Kenya and teach the mammas there your agricultural skills”. Within weeks, Joseph was on the Coast and jumping into the work of inspecting, evaluating, listening and teaching his craft. All the mammas, whose livelihood was once on the streets, were soon learning, digging and planting on their own ‘doorsteps’. Within one week they had ‘vertical’ gardens, row gardens, a maggot production for chicken feed and a new enterprise … the making and selling of chicken feed.