With deeply saddened hearts we must announce that our beloved James from Hands with Hope Children's Home in Kitale, Kenya, has passed away due to complications from a seizure disorder.
 
James was the brightest light, the kindest human we have ever met, full of joy and love. 
 
James came to the orphanage in 2022 traumatized and injured. We approximated his age at the time to be between 12-14 years old. He had no records and was barely surviving alone on the streets.
 
James was covered in scars, had a broken arm that didn't heal correctly, hot oil or acid had been poured over his head, and he had a voice silenced from trauma. We luckily had a small team on site at the time and assessed him gently because he was so frightened. 
 
Alice and Fred at Hands with Hope Children's Home showed him safety, kindness, hope, and love so he could heal and after a short time he opened up and started to trust and shine. 
 
Every time we saw James he would greet us with the biggest hug and the biggest smile ever seen. He smiled with his whole being and was so full of joy. All that was needed was a safe place for him to just be. 
 
James quickly became the safe person for the other kids at the orphanage in Kitale. If the kids were hurt or upset they would sit with James and he was a safe person. He never spoke much, if at all, words just were not important to him. But his smile, heart, and giant hugs were all that was needed and that is what was important to him. 
 
James was pure light, joy, and love. That's how you could explain who James was. The trauma and torture he endured before he came to the orphanage did not stay with him and never defined him. He simply was love. 
 
Now we need to lay this sweet soul to rest and we could use your help. All proceeds will go to cover funeral expenses, grief counseling for the kids a the orphanage, and a memorial for James to be placed at the new location for Hands with Hope Children's Home. Any funds above that will go towards needs for the children at Hands with Hope Children's Home as a tribute to James in the James Memorial Fund. 
 
Thank you for making this possible