A Visit to Naomi’s Village in Kenya

Children’s home, preschool, and K-12 academy

L to R: Jason Matthews, Parker Matthews, Bob Mendonsa, Julie Mendonsa, Derek Padon, Grace Padon.

Over the summer, our President and Chief Banking Officer, Jason Matthews, and his son Parker Matthews, along with his brother-in-law Derek Padon, and his niece Grace Padon, had the opportunity to visit our friends and clients, Naomi’s Village, just outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 2011 by Julie and Bob Mendonsa, Naomi’s Village is a holistic children’s home to nearly 100 Kenyan children, boys and girls, babies to 18-year-olds.

In 2003 the Mendonsas began yearly trips of one to two months to Kenya where Bob worked as a volunteer orthopedic surgeon in a mission hospital. Witnessing the plight of thousands of homeless children in the Great Rift Valley, the vision for Naomi’s Village was born. Their determination to help these children has expanded their ministry over the past 10 years to include four additional initiatives:

The Mtoto Program provides resources for expectant mothers and infants; LEAP Preschool provides toddlers a literacy-rich, play-focused environment; Cornerstone Preparatory Academy, a K-12 school, provides a holistic education to hundreds of students in the community, including those from Naomi’s Village; and the Maendeleo Initiative which assists the development of surrounding communities.

Derek said of the trip,

“I was so impressed with Naomi’s Village. Not only the grounds and buildings, but also the hearts of the people involved. Bob and Julie have an amazing vision for making a life-altering impact in this tiny corner of the world. The children we met seemed so focused on making the most of the opportunity that Naomi’s Village has been able to offer them. The generational ripple effect of what this organization has been doing in such a relatively short amount of time in Kenya will likely be unfathomable.”  

While in Kenya, the Matthews and Padons were able to fully immerse themselves in the lives of the children, as well as the local community. From singing and reading bible stories with the children to helping install solar-powered lighting in a home in the local village, the group was tremendously impacted by the needs being met through the Mendonsa’s work.

L: Parker Matthews helping install solar lighting on the roof of a home in the village; R: Grace Padon on her dad Derek’s shoulders to help install lighting inside the home.

The solar lighting installation was especially memorable for the group, as it brought the family matriarch to tears. This small act of kindness and elbow grease enriched the family’s daily life, allowing them to cook, read, and study in the evenings.

Jason adds,

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to visit Bob and Julie at their home in Kenya and see all that they and their team have built over the last 15 years.  It is truly remarkable the positive impact they are having on so many lives. Their genuine love for the children is awe-inspiring, and the impact that this experience had on me and my family will last a lifetime!”

In addition to the love, support, and security Naomi’s Village provides, they are developing future leaders of their community, Kenya, and beyond. Two of the former Naomi’s Village children are now attending college in the United States and hope to return to Kenya after graduation to help the community where they grew up.

Julie wrote to Jason after the visit, “We appreciate your family and DCB very much and are truly honored to partner with you all in this Kingdom work. As I write from cool, rainy Kenya, I’m reminded how different our seasons are—but joy is alive here, and you’re a big part of that story.

Recently, our kids splashed in the Indian Ocean for four unforgettable days, our karate team traveled to Rwanda for their first international competition, and three of our young adults are preparing to spend five months in Cape Town, South Africa, growing in faith and serving others around the world. From the youngest child to the oldest graduate, God’s hand is moving in ways we never dreamed when Naomi’s Village began.

 P.S. We wish you could see the joy on our children’s faces—it’s the clearest picture of the impact you’re making. This picture gives you an idea!” 

Learn more about Naomi’s Village and the Mendonsa’s ministry via their website, naomisvillage.org.