Students in uniform smiling together in a classroom at Charisma Tumaini Center

Sinai · Nairobi · Kenya

Every child deserves a pathway out of poverty.

Tumaini means “hope” in Swahili. We give children in one of Nairobi's most underserved communities free schooling, a daily meal and steady mentorship — from their first day of elementary school to their university graduation.

Donate Now See Our Impact

501(c)(3) NonprofitTax-DeductibleUniversity ScholarshipsDallas, Texas

The Pathway to Hope

One bridge. Four milestones. Real children crossing it right now.

Every number below is a currently enrolled student — not a projection. This is the literal journey a child walks with us.

Milestone 01
0+
Elementary School
Daily classes, meals and supplies at our center in Sinai.
Milestone 02
0
High School
Tuition support and mentorship through secondary school.
Milestone 03
0
University — Nigeria
Second-year scholars, selected by the Rochas Foundation in 2019 — studying Law, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Nursing.
Milestone 04
0+
Graduates
Alumni with degrees, now giving back to Sinai.

Our Story

Hope has an address: Sinai, Nairobi.

Sinai sits inside Mukuru, a belt of informal settlements along Nairobi's industrial corridor — home to hundreds of thousands of families with little access to clean water, electricity or secure housing.

For a child there, a stable classroom and a guaranteed daily meal are often the single biggest factors separating a childhood of opportunity from one of mere survival. That is the gap we exist to close — not for a term, but for the fifteen years it takes to reach a diploma.

“We don't just pay school fees. We walk with a child for fifteen years — from their first day in a classroom to the day they hand us their university diploma.”

Rooftops of the Sinai settlement in Nairobi at golden hour, with two children walking a path — Sinai, within Nairobi's Mukuru settlement belt — where our center has served families since day one.

How We Help

Three commitments, every single day

Education

School fees, uniforms, books and supplies for 200+ children — from their first classroom to a university lecture hall.

Nutrition

A hot meal every school day. For many of our students, it is the only meal they can count on.

Mentorship

Counseling, after-school guidance and the steady adult presence that keeps a child on track to graduate.

Pathways to University

From Sinai to a degree

Charisma Tumaini Center sponsors our students all the way through university in Kenya — tuition, housing and living costs covered until the degree is in hand. In 2019, the Rochas Foundation also selected four of our students for fully funded places in Nigeria, where they are now in their second year studying Law, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Nursing.

A Charisma Tumaini scholar in cap and gown with founder Dr. Grace Manjau at his university graduation

The Children We Support

Real faces. Real names. Real futures.

These are students enrolled at our center in Sinai today — photographed in their classrooms, in their own uniforms, on an ordinary school day.

A Charisma Tumaini student smiling in front of her classroom's lesson charts

A young student in a Charisma Tumaini classroom, grinning at the camera

A student in school uniform smiling after lunch at the center

A boy in a light blue school shirt laughing at the center

A student in a maroon school jumper smiling in class

A boy in a brown school jumper beaming at the camera

A student in a green and red school uniform at the center

200+

children in school, fed and mentored every single day — each one with a name we know.

Malon Omondi in graduation cap and gown celebrating his Journalism degree from the University of Nairobi with Dr. Grace Manjau and mentors — Malon Omondi on graduation day at the University of Nairobi, where he earned his Journalism degree — surrounded by the mentors who walked the pathway with him.

Graduate Spotlight

From Sinai to the University of Nairobi

Malon Omondi grew up in the Sinai settlement, walking through the doors of Charisma Tumaini as a young child. With years of schooling, daily meals, and mentorship behind him, he graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Nairobi.

Today, Malon is working in a prestigious job he loves — proof that a child from one of Nairobi's most underserved communities can become a professional voice in the world.

“This is what the pathway looks like when you stay with a child all the way through.”

Sponsor a Future Graduate Meet the Children

Malon Omondi in cap and gown with Dr. Grace Manjau, founder of Charisma Tumaini, at his University of Nairobi Journalism graduation — Malon Omondi with Dr. Grace Manjau, founder of Charisma Tumaini, on his graduation day — a moment fifteen years in the making.

Our University Scholars

Four students. Second year of university in Nigeria.

In 2019, the Rochas Foundation selected four of our students to study in Nigeria. Today all four are in their second year of university in Abuja, pursuing Law, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Nursing.

Four Charisma Tumaini students in blue caps and gowns raising their high-school diplomas after placing first among all countries at the Rochas Foundation — Diplomas in hand — our four scholars on the day they graduated high school, having placed first among all countries at the Rochas Foundation while representing Kenya.

Four Charisma Tumaini scholars holding the Kenyan flag on day one at Rochas Foundation College of Africa in Nigeria — Day one at Rochas Foundation College of Africa — our four scholars from Sinai carrying the Kenyan flag and stepping into a new chapter.

The four Charisma Tumaini university scholars together beside Jabi Lake in Abuja, Nigeria — Together in Abuja, Nigeria — far from Sinai, still walking the pathway side by side.

Charisma Tumaini scholars outside Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja, Nigeria during their second year of university — Second-year students, building lives and careers thousands of kilometres from where they started.

In Their Own Words

Testimonials from our scholars

In their own words — a Charisma Tumaini scholar

A scholar on life after Sinai

What Charisma Tumaini made possible

Graduation Day at Charisma Tumaini Center

Samuel Mwangi in cap and gown on his graduation day at Jomo Kenyatta University, standing with Charisma Tumaini founder Dr. Grace Manjau — Graduation day at Jomo Kenyatta University — Samuel Mwangi with founder Dr. Grace Manjau.

Voices from Sinai

“My journey began at CTC, where I gained my primary education and strong moral values. Supported like family, I later studied Industrial Mathematics at JKUAT — working part-time, balancing rigorous studies, and graduating with Second Class Honors. Charisma gave me confidence and direction.”

Samuel Mwangi · CTC Alumnus, JKUAT Class of 2025

Your Gift in Action

See exactly what your donation does

Choose an amount to see how it helps — then carry it straight to checkout.

Give $75

Processed by Zeffy — 100% of your gift reaches the children, with no platform fees. Charisma Tumaini Inc is a 501(c)(3); gifts are tax-deductible.

Best Way to Give

Donate through Zeffy — 100% reaches the children

Zeffy charges non-profits no fees at all, so every dollar you give arrives intact. You are never required to tip Zeffy for us to receive your full donation.

Donate with Zeffy — no fees

Other Ways to Give

Cash App, Zelle or PayPal

Scan a code with your phone, or send to the details below. Every dollar goes to schooling, meals and mentorship in Sinai.

Cash App

$Paymechash

PaymentArrangement

Zelle

charismaintldfw@gmail.com

Charisma International Ministries

PayPal

Charisma Tumaini Inc

Note: PayPal deducts an 11% transaction fee — Zeffy sends us 100%.