The History of Stars of Hope

In January 2003 Gem West embarked on an independent working trip to Nairobi to work in a home for street boys that was run by local people.

A street boy by the name of Edwin took Gem to meet a woman by the name of Ruth Wanjiru who lived in a slum area; Dandora. She was looking after a large number of vulnerable children with the little that she had of her own.

Gem and Ruth developed a sound friendship that grew into a working relationship. They shared the same vision and hopes and on returning to Cornwall Gem initiated the first steps to begin a support programme for Ruth and the children. The ideas grew and on research and observation it became obvious that our own community was also in need of help and support.

Stars of Hope philosophy was born and the Kenyan/Cornish collaboration project began.

The progress and interest in the project led us to become a UK limited company in June 2006 and a recognised Kenyan organisation in April 2007. We have volunteers in both Cornwall and Kenya and where we can, we pay the people who work with us at the centre as they also live with poverty.