Your daily ritual, their dailyhope
Over the past year, Small, Sheila, and I have been thinking about the future. Fifteen years on, it still amazes me how a handful of rescued girls blossomed into something so much bigger.
As you’re aware, at the heart of everything we do is one simple vision: to create a community where women are recognised and valued, where education opens doors to dignity, leadership, and hope.
Now, with pride (and yes, a little apprehension), we’re taking our most ambitious step yet and launching a women-only coffee project.
For us in Europe and the US, coffee is part of our daily ritual. For the women we begin to employ, it will be daily hope - a chance for them to earn an income, stand tall and educate their children, particularly in a culture where boys are educated ahead of girls.
In time, this project will be more than just growing coffee. We dream it will become a refuge — a place abused women can run to when they need work, safety, and dignity. A place where their children can grow up free from fear of early marriage or FGM. We see another rescue home here, alongside the coffee fields, run by the women themselves and even a school where girls’ education is not optional, but expected.
This project is inspired by Faith’s mum — a woman who once believed she had no hope of educating her daughters, in a community where women had no choice and no voice.
Already, our first acre of land has been cleared. Under Sheila’s guidance, the holes have been dug, the soil has been richly prepared and the seedlings are ready. A bold new chapter has begun.
We’ve been here before. From one little boy named Fabian, grew a thriving school of 80 children. From animal swamps came fresh, clean water. From frightened girls came university students like Phanice, now beginning her Bachelor’s in International Relations and Diplomacy at one of Kenya’s prestigious universities.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Every pencil, every cup of water, every seedling, every safe place – your generosity makes it all possible.
So tomorrow, as you hold your morning cup of coffee, think of these women bending low to plant their first harvest. Together, we can make sure their hope grows strong.
Your daily ritual, their daily hope.
With grateful thanks,
Julie, Small,and Sheila
Together we’ve changed lives – and together, we’ll change more.
Email: jhelloncupples@gmail.com)
Phone +33634165352
