In 2019, two friends from Nairobi, Kenya, had an idea to create an organization that would identify and nurture talent among street children and children's homes. The two friends, George and Kisha had witnessed firsthand the challenges that children living in poverty face. They wanted to create an organization that would help children build self-esteem, develop their talents, and provide them with a means of supporting themselves in the future. Thus, the Raising heARTs Foundation (RHF) was born.
RHF is a non-profit organization consisting of 50 members. The organization's mission is to provide financial, emotional, and social support to children living in poverty. RHF believes that a talent is a powerful tool that can help children escape poverty, and thus, the organization focuses on identifying and nurturing talent among children. "The 'ART' in heARTs is capitalized because the organization aims to identify and nurture talent among children," says George, one of the founders of the organization. By doing so, RHF hopes to contribute to the UN’s sustainable development goal of ending poverty.
RHF carries out charity drives in Nairobi City and its environs. The organization partners with different institutions and individuals to identify children with talent and provide them with the necessary support and guidance to develop their abilities. RHF's goal is to help children become self-sufficient by creating opportunities for them to showcase their talents and providing them with mentorship and support to succeed in their respective fields.
Besides talent, one of the core values of RHF is education. The organization believes that a child's education is crucial in unlocking their full potential. Thus, they provide the necessary support to ensure that children have access to education. RHF works with schools and other educational institutions to provide scholarships, school supplies, and other necessary resources to children in need. The organization also provides mentorship and guidance on career and life development to help children succeed beyond the classroom.
This year, RHF is at Smiles Children's Home for 12 months. The organization aims to help children with talent get opportunities to showcase their abilities to the world. By partnering with people in various fields, RHF provides children with mentorship and guidance that will help them become successful in their respective areas of interest. The organization is working to create a platform where children can showcase their talents and attract potential sponsors, investors, or employers.
In addition to talent and education, RHF is also committed to promoting environmental conservation, mental health, and hygiene. RHF Green, RHF mental health, and RHF Hygiene are the organization's pillars. Each of these pillars partners with different organizations to meet the community's needs.
RHF Green focuses on environmental conservation by organizing tree-planting activities and promoting clean energy initiatives. RHF mental health provides support for individuals with mental health conditions by creating awareness and providing resources for diagnosis and treatment. In addition, it offers counseling and mentorship. RHF Hygiene, in partnership with the Institute of Healthcare Management (IHM), is dedicated to promoting oral hygiene and sanitation by providing oral and handwashing facilities, supporting menstrual hygiene, and education on personal hygiene.
