A Morning of Smiles and Small Hands

Karen Skoog
4 hours ago
3 min read

It was fun handing out bananas to the older kids. Many of them I already knew from teaching Christian Religious Education (CRE) classes. They waited patiently in line—smiling, chatting, and laughing—as I handed each one their fruit.

Then the littles came out. Typical preschoolers; full of energy, not quite used to lining up or waiting their turn. But there was something else, too.

Hunger.

An eagerness that betrayed the fact that it had been a week since their last banana. I felt myself start to crumble inside. Their small hands reached out eagerly, and I hurried to fill them. Tears welled in my eyes as I watched them.

The Last Banana

When everyone had received a banana, I sat down on the edge of the walkway and looked at the last one in my hand.

I was raised on a fruit farm and have always had a deep appreciation for fruit, often enjoying several servings a day. But as I sat there in Kenya, a place blessed with fruit year-round, I thought about how these children still lack access to something so simple and nourishing.

I took one bite, but suddenly I had no appetite. How could I eat it when someone else surely needed it more?

Then a small boy came and sat beside me. His eyes looked so tired, I thought he might be sick. I handed him my banana and watched as he ate it slowly. A teacher brought him another, and when he finished, he looked up at me with a sweet, grateful smile.

I realized then—he wasn’t sick. He was simply exhausted from hunger.

This is what dignity in action looks like:Small moments. Big impact. — This is what **dignity in action** looks like:Small moments. Big impact.

Holding On to Hope

Through the heartbreak of that moment, I hold on to a conviction that keeps me going:

“I want to give these kids more fruit—in this land of fruit.”

I want to increase the school’s budget so that we can overcome the daily hunger that follows these children into the classroom. I want to remember the abundance I enjoy each day and give so that others might share in that same blessing.

Why Monthly Giving Matters

Behind each story—and each child—is the reality of a school budget that must remain steady. Teachers need to be paid, meals need to be provided, and classrooms need upkeep and repair.

This is where monthly giving becomes such a blessing. Your faithful, recurring support helps ensure that the learners I met don’t have to wonder if their education—or their meals—will continue. They can depend on it.

How You Can Help

For the months of October and November, we will be posting blogs and on social media inviting you to join us as a monthly partner and to attend one of our hybrid or virtual events. This is a crucial season as we prepare to set the budget for the new year.

Without an increase in monthly giving, the school’s already shoestring budget will fall short of meeting the many needs that exist.

👉 Would you prayerfully consider becoming a monthly partner? Even a small recurring gift provides stability that allows us to serve these children consistently.

Donate Monthly

👉We are excited to host our Kenyan partner Dr. Jackline Musyoka online. Please sign up for an upcoming gathering on our Events Page

👉Please sign up for our Kenyan Connections emails and newsletters at the bottom of this page.

🙏 Join Us in Prayer

For the children in Kenya — that they would grow in knowledge and in the love of Christ.
For steady provision so that the school can continue to meet every need.
For God to stir hearts toward ongoing partnership in this mission.