Our Mission

Mission Kenya

 

‘…….an old wooden sign, half-hidden in the long grass. “It is better to
light one candle than to curse the darkness”.’

An incredible story was about to unfold, touching lives on both sides of
the world…

"At the start, we called it ‘my Africa thing’ but in truth it
was always God’s ‘Africa thing’. This is His story. I’ll do
my best to put it into words"

-Anne Gyde

It started in the most unlikely way. An ordinary couple, having fun on
their dream holiday in Kenya, back in 1990.

Little did they know, their world was about to turn upside down…..

Into Mtwapa village with Patrick
Into Mtwapa village with Patrick

‘Never again would we take for granted the gift of clean water, or
soft white sheets, or electricity.’

Children run to greet visitors
Children run to greet visitors
Village water supply
Village water supply
Mtomondoni Primary School
Mtomondoni Primary School

Unable to ignore what they’d seen, Anne and Ian took a first, rather
shaky step of faith – and their Christian charity, Mission Kenya, came
into being.

From its base in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, a group of enthusiastic
volunteers joined hands with a dynamic team in Kenya, determined to
make a difference.

‘Anne & Ian Gyde meet Esther & Michael
Kanore’
‘Anne & Ian Gyde meet Esther & Michael Kanore’
04071_04071-009687_7

‘My dear Esther. Praise the Lord! We’ve got the money

to start our Mission Kenya charity. Please tell the children

they can go to school.’

Annual garden parties went from strength
to strength (take a look on ‘Video Memories’) enabling Mission Kenya
to help more and more children through education.

Primary School
Primary School
Secondary School
Secondary School
Further Education
Further Education

Besides education, other needs in Mtwapa led to additional projects,
and these were funded in a variety of ways.

 

Kikambala Lunch Programme
Kikambala Lunch Programme
Water for Mtwapa
Water for Mtwapa
New School - Gates of Joy
New School - Gates of Joy

’We believed that fundraising should be fun for everyone, helpers as
well as guests, and Mission Kenya events were terrific, if slightly off-
the-wall!’.

Valentine Dance and the Blues Brothers
‘The audience were bewildered… it went downhill from there, really…’
Valentine Dance and the Blues Brothers ‘The audience were bewildered… it went downhill from there, really…’
1970’s disco and ‘Abba’
‘Behind you! The back-cloth. It’s on fire!’
1970’s disco and ‘Abba’ ‘Behind you! The back-cloth. It’s on fire!’

From fundraising in England to exciting results in
Africa, being a part of Mission Kenya would turn out to be the
experience, and privilege, of a lifetime. ….

UK Trustees

Anne Gyde
Anne Gyde
Ian Gyde
Ian Gyde
Mark Willis
Mark Willis
Sue Heywood-Everett
Sue Heywood-Everett
Lynn Lumb
Lynne Lumb
Jackie Brookes
Jackie Brookes
Alan English
Alan English

The Africa Team

Elizabeth Mwangi
Elizabeth Mwangi
Jack Anyanje
Jack Anyanje
Esther Kanore
Esther Kanore
Sister Theresa Mutio
Sister Theresa Mutio
Patrick Munga
Patrick Munga

Anne Gyde’s memoir, ‘A Sea of Hands’, unveils the charity’s evolution,
drawing people together in loving friendship, to make a difference.
The narrative spans two continents, with tales of kindness and
generosity, sprinkled with laugh-aloud humour along the way. And
underpinning the entire story, the extravagant grace of God.

 

Proceeds will be gifted to Huddersfield registered charity, Christian
African Relief Trust.

Thank You

If you have any queries or wish to get in touch with the author of A Sea of Hands please do not hesitate to get in touch through email at admin@missionkenya.co.uk