Children of Paradise Orphanage Home

Children of Paradise is a home for 67 children ranging from age 1-18. As we are speaking these children are all at risk to lose their home. Shamila and I both accidentally stumbled upon this orphanage a few years ago when we were traveling in Nairobi. We are trying to fundraise money to help save their home! Rent is $630 per month and donations have ran out since the $4500 raised 9 months ago. They are currently missing 4 month's of rent. We are asking friends, family and strangers to help save this orphanage. Please read our stories here to learn more about Children of Paradise:

Shamila's Story

As we were walking through the dimly-lit corridors of the “Ndhiwa Hospital” that was lacking even the most essential healthcare supplies, I thought to myself: “If this is the state of their healthcare service, then how is their general livelihood?”

My name is Shamila Habibi, a second-year Internal Medicine resident at Eisenhower Health Center in Rancho Mirage, California. Through the following few paragraphs, I wish to take you with me on a journey that has transformed my life. My story begins when I visited Africa in May 2022, initially for the purpose of leisure, which, quite by accident, turned to become a charity project, and it has now become one of my life’s purposes.

Through a fortunate accident, I met Clara, the manager of an orphanage located in an underserved suburb area of Nairobi, Kenya, that was run on charity funds. The name of the orphanage is “Children of Paradise”. They have 67 children under their custody, ranging from 1-18 years old. They are sent to school and cared for to the best of the orphanage’s ability. However, there are many times that they do not even have their most essential needs in life met. All they have got is a roof above their heads, two sets of clothes, and a blanket to cover themselves at night. They were all wearing secondhand or even thirdhand school uniforms worn by older brothers or sisters, as well as using the torn-up books that once belonged to their siblings.

Half of these children go to boarding school, and when they return for the summer, they become severely over-crowded and under-resourced that often two children would have to use the same bed or even sleep on the ground. Clara told me there are times that they only have one meal a day and have to go to bed hungry at night, an incident that is not quite uncommon.

The more that I spent time with them, the more I came to realize their turmoil which was heartbreaking to behold. I spent almost two weeks with all those little children but never saw any of them crying or complaining about anything, except for when I asked them what they wanted, at which point they broke into tears. They were used to not mentioning what they wanted or needed since they had learned and accepted that it would not make a difference anyway. They were exceedingly patient and content. Even for food, if they were still hungry, they just never asked for seconds because they had learned well that there is not enough food for everyone.

It was saddening to see their most dire need was as essential as it gets: food. The philanthropic donations that they receive barely cover the cost of food and housing, let alone their other needs such as clothing and school. However, I was humbled by the passion of those young children for learning and being educated, despite not even having their essential needs met. They all wake up around 6 in the morning to walk 3 miles to school every day.

Even though they most often had two or sometimes even one meal per day, they still chose to have books and shoes for school over food! In particular, I emotionally bonded with a sweet 7-year-old girl with an aptitude for science and an adorable curiosity for learning. When I asked her what she wanted as a gift, expecting an answer like candy or toys, she said she wanted a school uniform! I asked her what she wanted to become when she grew up, and to my utter astonishment, she said she wanted to become a nurse. It was tragic and awe-inspiring at the same time to see a 7-year-old child who was growing up with severe limitations and poverty that wanted to pursue a job that is all about caring for others.

It seemed like they value education as a means to ascend in life, and having such thoughtful vision at such a young age was tremendous to witness. All that talent and all that passion can make a difference for many tomorrows to come; However, with their current situation of living in abject poverty, all are being wasted away.

In my previous journey, I started a campaign that raised as much as $10,800 in a span of four weeks. With these funds and Clara’s coordination, we managed to clothe, feed, and care for them for three months. But if we are to really support these innocent souls, we would have to go beyond such numbers. I am yearning for your generous, philanthropic contributions as every dollar would count. I have prepared a short video that further describes the situation. Please do not hesitate to reach out and ask for details or let me know of concerns that you might have.

There are many suffering out there that we could change their lives for the better. All they need is our helping hands to reach out and make a difference. I happen to know and have met a few of them who have proven to be utmostly worthy and grateful. I earnestly urge all you wonderful and considerate people to take a step and help to make yet another miracle happen.

Whitney's Story:

My name is Whitney Lai and I am a healthcare Product Manager. I went on my very first solo-trip when I was 25 - quite frankly, I found a globe, closed my eyes and my finger landed on Kenya. I stayed at a hostel in Nairobi. It was Christmas Eve and a kind old lady who was staying at the same hostel asked if I had any plans. I had no plans and was so far from home. "Well, want to hear some children sing?" That led me to Clara's home - Children of Paradise. I fell in love with their home and was in awe of how they found joy with what little they have. Everyone in the community brought over food and we sang and danced all night long. My favorite memory is dancing in a conga line around this cake while singing "Feliz Navidad."

From speaking with the locals I learned that there are barely any resources to support the children and it is all managed by Clara. She was an orphan herself and when she was 18 she was forced to leave her orphanage. She started taking in children one by one which became "Children of Paradise." The older teenagers take turns to help care for the younger ones. It is so hard to imagine that these children who are so full of life and joy singing with me are struggling with lack of resources and living in poverty. Children of Paradise gave me a special present for Christmas that I will always treasure. I hope to spread awareness about their situation and to save their home that they so kindly shared with me. Here are some videos and pictures from my visit: