Buy Land for a Children's Home with 100 Orphans in Nairobi

Help Relocate Smile Community Centre Children’s Home – A Safe New Beginning for 100 Orphans in Nairobi

From a small room to sheltering over 96 children—this is a story of resilience, faith, and community. And now, we need your help to give these children the home they truly deserve.

Hello, my name is Arsene Choya, and I’m fundraising for Smile Community Centre Children’s Home, a haven for orphaned and vulnerable children in Soweto, Kayole – Nairobi, Kenya. Founded by the incredible Margaret Nekesa, this home currently cares for over 96 children full-time and feeds more than 300 children in the community through a small but vital feeding program.

I first visited Smile over two years ago, when a friend persuaded me to come with her to Kenya. One week into our trip, we entered Soweto slum and walked into this orphanage—and what I saw there changed my perception of life. The strength. The joy. The struggle. The overwhelming need. And one woman, doing it all.

I returned in February this year, and I’ve been volunteering—handling the kitchen and helping wherever I can. But after two months on the ground, one thing became clear: we must move these children to a safer space.

Why We’re Raising Funds

The current building is too small, crowded, and deteriorating. There’s not enough space to sleep, eat, play, or simply breathe, and it poses a growing health and safety risk. Our goal is to raise KES 4,000,000 (approx. $30,000 USD) to buy a plot of land and relocate the home to a secure, permanent location.

What the New Smile Centre Will Include:

Sleeping Area – Safe, clean rooms for boys and girls

Kitchen & Dining Space – A proper place to prepare and share meals

Learning Centre – A space for tutoring, homework, and school readiness

Recreation Area – Where kids can play, heal, and just be kids

Small Farm/Garden – To grow food and teach sustainability and responsibility

The Woman Behind the Smile: Margaret Nekesa

Margaret’s story is one of unshakable faith. Born into hardship, she grew up in poverty, lost her husband in a tragic accident, and later became bedridden with a severe spinal condition for seven years, raising children alone. Yet she refused to give up.

Street children would come to her home for food and shelter—even while she was confined to a bed. She prayed not for comfort, but for the strength to serve them. And when she finally recovered, she did just that.

With no money, no big donors—only heart—she started Smile Community Centre in her own home. From there, she reclaimed a dumpsite, built with iron sheets, and eventually moved to the current rented building through grassroots fundraising.

Her strength, her spirit, and her selflessness make her a true heroine.

How You Can Help

Donate – Every shilling or dollar helps us buy land and build hope

Share – Spread the word with your networks, churches, or organizations.

Connect – Link us with anyone who may want to support or sponsor.

All funds will go directly toward:

Land purchase

Legal and administrative fees

Site preparation and early infrastructure

This is more than a fundraiser. It’s a mission to give 100+ children dignity, safety, and a future. Let’s come together to help them live, grow, and smile again.

We will keep you updated every step of the way.

With love and gratitude,

Arsene Choya

On behalf of Smile Community Centre Children’s Home Nairobi,Kenya