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ST. JEROME’S CENTRE
We are a small UK charity running a children’s home and community outreach projects in Nakuru, Kenya.
We’ve helped over 200 children with residential care and access to education, cared for by trained and trusted staff, overseen by a dedicated voluntary committee.
Donate today to help us bring hope and change to those who need it most.
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https://youtu.be/DWLM2xCkaSk
Our Story
It all started in 2009 with a group of determined teenagers visiting Kenya from the UK…
2009Fundraising begins after a local children’s home is forced to close2012The first St Jerome’s Centre is opened2013We become a registered charity 2014The centre moves site, accommodating more children2022Primary school feeding and outreach programme begins
In 2026…
We are home to 27 children
We feed a further 30 children daily school lunches
30 children reintegrated with their families
17 years of teamwork and valued sponsorship
Planning a much needed extension of our current building
Read more about our story
Our Team
The UK Committee
Gemma Mackinnon
Chairperson
Beth Shelvey
Directing Secretary
Rebecca White
Directing Treasurer
David Barkwill
Trustee
Lauren Shelvey
Trustee
Ben Lock
Trustee
Kenyan Staff
Carl Maghanga
Manager
Susan Mungai
Administrative Assistant and caregiver
Grace Gachambi
Senior Caregiver
Phylis Chimoso
Caregiver
Mary Njoki
Caregiver
Elijah Minginae
Security
Musa Lenawangwe
Security
The Children We Support
We enrol children raised amongst addiction, abuse, poverty and neglect. We’ve seen children, some as young as five, that have had no choice but to live on the street. Where possible, families are traced and our staff work with relatives to support reintegration.
The St Jerome’s Centre is a safe space for those in need, providing residential care and school fees.
We assist in the transition from childhood to adulthood, providing our young adults the life skills they need to become independent.
Examples Of Our Work
Peter’s Story
Reuniting mother and son
At just six years old, Peter found himself alone and vulnerable after becoming separated from his mother in a crowded market. With nowhere else to turn, he survived by sleeping on the streets alongside other children. In 2014, he was welcomed to St Jerome’s Centre.
But the team never stopped searching for his family. He remembered only one small detail, that his mother worked with flowers. Our staff worked tirelessly visiting flower farms across the country in the hope of finding her.
After seven years of determination and hope, he and his mother were reunited in 2021 in an emotional moment neither thought possible.
Peter continues to live at the centre, he regularly visits his mother during weekdays and holidays. Now aged 17, the younger children look up to him as a kind, helpful and resilient young adult.
Aged 6, 2014
Aged 13, 2021
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