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Cherish Meru

"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. 

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 8: $354/year 
($29.50/month; $118/trimester)
Grades 9-12: $585/year
($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 and near Meru, 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 address the greatest needs within the community.  Past projects include providing school lunches to kids who would otherwise go hungry and building basic sanitation infrastructure to keep kids safe and healthy while at school.  

Other Donation Opportunities

Extra Family Gifts

Extra Family Gift funds are used to provide graduation gifts to sponsored students and 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. 

catch up on ministry updates

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.