Help Bring Christmas Cheer to Restart Africa

Hello,

Our names are Jenn and Ashlyn Gilhooly, and we are starting a fundraiser for a charity close to our hearts called Restart Africa.

Restart Africa is a charity based in Gilgil, Kenya. Restart's mission is to help homeless children off the streets of Gilgil and provide them with shelter, food, education, and love. Restart cares for over 100+ children and has rescued them from various terrible situations such as violence, drugs, and prostitution. Restart Africa survives solely off donations.

I (Jenn) first went to Restart in 2018, where I spent a month volunteering. At the time, I did not know how quickly my life would change before I met the children and spent time at the center. When I arrived, the children who all endured indescribable trauma, met me with smiles, eyes of curiosity, and genuine kindness. I immediately knew my life would be forever changed and that I would be back to Restart again sometime soon.

In the Fall of 2021, Ashlyn and I traveled to Restart to spend a month with the children.

My (Ashlyn) experience at Restart introduced me to a whole new culture and a deeper understanding of what happens worldwide. I got to experience their school life by attending their school and teaching in their classroom. One of my favourite experiences with the children was playing volleyball tournaments and taking them to Nairobi to play in a rugby tournament.

It is that time again, and in less than two months, Ashlyn and I will be heading across the world back to Kenya to volunteer with Restart for six weeks. We have decided to start this fundraiser to raise money for the children and the center. While we already have an entire suitcase full of clothing/shoe and toy donations to bring. The funds we raise will allow us to purchase items when we are in Kenya. We are spending Christmas at Restart this year, and our goal is to make this Christmas special. A portion of the funds we raise will go towards gifting them with new sports equipment, essential hygiene products, and any deficiencies we recognize the center needs. For example, kitchen utensils and school supplies.

Any spare funds we have we will use to take the children on a field trip to explore some National Parks in their home country.

It is important to note that all the funds raised will go directly to supporting the children and Restart. We have fully funded all of our expenses to Kenya and will be responsible for any personal costs there.

We greatly appreciate the support; the children at Restart deserve so much love, especially during this holiday season.

Asante Sana,

Jenn & Ashlyn