Witnessing change and building relationships on our 2025 Kenya Impact Journey

There’s a moment I keep returning to from our recent trip to Kenya. We were sitting in a classroom at GRACE Nanana, a rescue center for Maasai girls escaping early marriage to pursue their education. A 14-year-old student stood confidently before our group and shared her dream of becoming a doctor. “Before coming here, I had no hope for a different future,” she told us. “Now I can see a path forward.”

This moment epitomizes what makes our Kenya trips so powerful—the opportunity to witness firsthand how our longstanding partnerships with extraordinary local organizations are creating tangible change in communities facing enormous challenges.

A decade of relationship and impact

Our 2025 Kenya trip marked nearly a decade of Brighton Jones’ partnership with three remarkable organizations: Ruben Centre, Kajiado Child Care Centre (KCC), and GRACE Nanana (HELGA). Unlike traditional “voluntourism,” these relationships have been cultivated through years of consistent support, mutual learning, and genuine collaboration.

The depth of these connections was evident in how we were welcomed—not as visitors, but as partners in a shared mission. At Ruben Centre, located within Nairobi’s Mukuru informal settlement where more than 600,000 people live without reliable access to clean water and sanitation, Executive Director Frank O’Shea greeted our group with both gratitude and accountability.

“Your support isn’t just about the money,” he told us. “It’s about showing these children that people from across the world believe in their potential. That sends a powerful message.”

The impact of this sustained relationship is reflected in the numbers. In 2024 alone, Ruben Centre:

• Provided education to over 3,200 students in their primary school
• Delivered 1,300+ babies in their maternity ward
• Offered vocational training to 150+ women through their Social Economic Empowerment through Education program
• Reached over 200,000 community members through their FM radio station

What began with a focus on supporting their RISE Program (Ruben Improved Scheme of Education) has evolved into a multifaceted partnership that has helped the center weather challenges from political unrest to pandemic disruptions. RISE is a gymnastics and music program where kids develop talents that can be transferred and showcased on global stages, enriching their lives today and into the future.

Witnessing resilience in action

At Kajiado Child Care Centre, a rehabilitation facility for children with physical disabilities, we spent a day connecting with students and staff who are challenging stigma and transforming lives. The Brighton Jones Global Guesthouse, built in 2018 with support from our community, continues to serve as both a revenue generator for KCC and a base for volunteers who work with the children.

Duncan Sakimpa, KCC’s director, shared that the guesthouse generated over $15,000 in revenue last year, providing critical support for their operations. “This is what sustainable partnership looks like,” he explained. “You didn’t just build something and leave—you created an asset that continues to benefit our community year after year.”

One participant was visibly moved after spending time with KCC’s physiotherapy team, who work with children with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and other conditions. “I’ve never seen such dedication with such limited resources,” she reflected. “They’re changing lives with tools that would be considered basic in the U.S., but they’re achieving incredible outcomes through sheer commitment and expertise.”

The urgency behind the beauty

Our journey also included three days on safari in the Maasai Mara, where we witnessed the breathtaking beauty of Kenya’s wildlife—lions lounging in the morning sun, elephants moving gracefully across the savannah, and giraffes feeding among acacia trees. Beyond the stunning photo opportunities, these experiences provided important context around conservation challenges and the delicate balance between human communities and wildlife.

Wilson, a Maasai guide who joined us, explained how climate change is affecting both wildlife migration patterns and the traditional Maasai way of life. “Conservation cannot succeed without community involvement,” he told us. “The future depends on finding sustainable ways for people and wildlife to coexist.”

This balance between appreciating natural beauty and acknowledging urgent challenges became a theme throughout our journey. In conversations with our partners, we repeatedly heard how international attention and support for global development work has diminished in recent years, creating precarious situations for organizations doing vital work.

“The need hasn’t decreased—if anything, it’s grown more acute,” shared Priscilla, the founder of GRACE Nanana, where fifteen girls were rescued from forced marriages in 2024 alone. “What has changed is the priority global donors place on this work. Many have shifted focus elsewhere, leaving critical gaps.”

From witness to action

As our trip drew to a close with a sunset dhow cruise off Lamu Island, our group reflected on how to transform what we’d experienced into meaningful action. The journey had revealed both overwhelming need and extraordinary potential—the question was how to respond effectively.

One participant, a retired tech executive, shared: “I’ve traveled extensively, but this experience is different. I’m leaving with specific relationships and a clear understanding of how my resources can make a tangible difference. That’s incredibly motivating.”

Another observed: “What strikes me is the multiplier effect of supporting these organizations. When you fund a girl’s education at GRACE Nanana, you’re not just changing her life—you’re potentially transforming her entire community and future generations.”

The power of these trips lies in bringing abstract global challenges into sharp, personal focus. Statistics about global poverty or educational inequality take on new meaning when you’ve shared a meal with individuals living these realities or witnessed the joy of children thriving despite enormous obstacles.

As we prepared to depart Kenya, our group committed to specific actions:

• Sustaining financial support for our partner organizations
• Sharing their stories with our broader community
• Exploring new ways to amplify their work and address critical needs
• Considering how to introduce friends and family to these transformative experiences

A unique opportunity

What makes these journeys different from typical international travel is the rare combination of extraordinary access, deep relationships, and tangible impact. Brighton Jones’ decade-long commitment to these organizations has created trust and transparency that allows for authentic engagement rather than staged experiences.

As Frank O’Shea at Ruben Centre told us on our final day: “The work we’re doing together isn’t charity—it’s justice. It’s about creating opportunity where systemic barriers have denied it, and recognizing our shared humanity across geography, culture, and circumstance.”

For those considering joining a future trip, know that—while you will experience stunning beauty and immersive culture—this isn’t a vacation in the traditional sense. It’s an invitation to step into a complex, challenging, and ultimately hopeful reality, one where your presence and participation matter in ways that extend far beyond your time in Kenya.

After witnessing the impact of a decade of partnership, I’m more convinced than ever that this work matters profoundly. In a world where global challenges can feel overwhelming, these relationships offer a model for how sustained, respectful engagement can create meaningful change—one classroom, one clinic, one community at a time.

Interested in learning more about our partner organizations in Kenya or joining a future Impact Journey? Contact the Brighton Jones Impact Team at impact@brightonjones.com.

If you’re interested in other ways to engage with our international partners, you can provide direct support through our #OneTeam for Kenya Campaign.