Wela's Kids Foundation

Wela's Kids Foundation is a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to providing support for orphaned and vulnerable children, particularly in Kenya. The organization was established following a missionary trip to Kenya in 2016 by its founders, who were inspired by the need to provide a safe environment for children who had been abandoned or were struggling without adequate care.

Founding and Inspiration

The foundation was named after Maria Rios, affectionately known as "Wela" (meaning "grandmother" in Spanish), by her family. After a trip to Kenya, the founders decided to create an orphanage where children could receive the love, safety, and education they needed. The land for this initiative was provided by a Kenyan friend, Collins, who had inherited it and noted the presence of many street children in the area.

Mission and Activities

The mission of Wela's Kids Foundation is to offer hope through nutrition, education, and love to forgotten children. It operates an orphanage and school, known as Gabriella's Gracious Child Support Center, where it provides essential services such as:

• Education: Offering schooling from nursery class to third grade without financial burdens.
• Nutrition: Providing three meals a day.
• Support Services: Including medical treatment, uniforms, shoes, and educational materials. The foundation aims to expand its facilities to accommodate more children and improve the quality of services provided.

Funding and Operations

The organization primarily relies on donations and support from its founders to fund its activities. It faces ongoing challenges in securing sufficient funding to maintain its operations, including paying teachers' salaries, purchasing educational supplies, and upgrading facilities. Despite these challenges, Wela's Kids Foundation continues to provide a vital service to the community it serves.

Impact

By offering education and care to children who would otherwise lack these opportunities, Wela's Kids Foundation plays a critical role in improving the lives of vulnerable children in Kenya. The organization's focus on both physical and spiritual well-being aims to create a holistic environment that supports the development of these children into capable and confident individuals.