Jesus + People = Hope

Meet the Board

Image of Michael Allen carrying child at Huruma Hope

  • Mike first went to Huruma, Kenya in September of 2014 and was struck by the level of impoverishment the community suffers and helped begin the process of bringing HOPE International, Inc. to its current status as a 501(c)(3).  This helped spread the word of Christ in Africa by increasing aid and educational opportunities to children and break the generational cycle of sickness and poverty that has plagued this region for many years.  It is his hope that others will follow in his decision to support this ministry and help children in Africa rise above their circumstances through education and faith in Jesus Christ.

A woman with orange hair and a blue T-shirt is hugging a young girl with braided hair and a yellow and blue school uniform outside near blue corrugated metal walls.

  • She first went to Huruma alongside Suzan Bellis in Feb. 2005 when the school was just a nursery school.  She has returned with Suzan  to Kenya a total of 10 times and looks forward to going again in the future.

    “God took me out of my comfort zone when He first called me to the mission field about 18 years ago. I have a heart for children’s ministries. When asked to join the Huruma HOPE board I knew it would allow me to continue serving the children and families of the Huruma HOPE and its community.”

A woman with glasses and wavy hair hugging a young boy with short black hair and a yellow and blue uniform, in an outdoor setting with colorful structures in the background.

  • Joy has a heart for missions and believes we all are called to love on people, whether that is going abroad or loving on those around us. She wanted to be a part of the ministry of Huruma HOPE because she loves helping others and making a difference in the world. She encourages you to be a part as well.

A group of school children in matching blue and yellow uniforms with a smiling elderly woman in casual clothes in a classroom.

  • Suzan first went to Kenya in Feb. 2005, where she visited the Huruma Nursery School for the first time and returned each year through 2022. 

    “I felt that God had laid the children of Huruma at my feet to enable them to receive a quality education, be fed, live healthy lives and grow into the people God had planned for them and to serve their community and country.  When the team returned in September 2014, we each felt led to form a non-profit to help fund needs for the school and Huruma community.”

A man with a camera around his neck sitting at a table with young school children wearing blue and yellow uniforms in a classroom, with posters and drums on the wall behind them.

  • Joel has worked for Costco Wholesale since 1989 and is currently a department manager. He’s also a licensed general contractor and owns a cabinet and furniture refinishing business which he runs in his spare time.

    “I am serving on the board because I believe we are the hands and feet of Jesus and need to give what we can in both time and money, go when called to do the work of sharing the love of Jesus Christ.”

A group of young children and a woman smiling for a photo in a classroom with educational posters on the wall.

  • Her first trip to Nairobi, Kenya was in July 2010 at age 17 and she was bit by the bug and had to return in November 2019.  Having the opportunity to serve the children in Huruma has changed her life. She has witnessed first hand the improvements HOPE has made to not only on the school but the children attending Huruma Hope School that are all so kind and bright! She is constantly blown away with how well the children do with their school work and how they behave in class. They do this while they continue to suffer within the slum. She is honored to serve on the HOPE Board and believes we are helping change these students life. “Education breeds confidence, confidence breeds hope, and hope breeds peace”. The education these children receive provides them opportunities to leave Huruma and make a better future for themselves.  Support HOPE Int. and support the future of Kenya.

Kylie Koontz Photo

  • I serve as a board member and Media Coordinator for Hope to Huruma, where I share the stories and impact of our mission through media and storytelling. I grew up on a farm in Eastern Oregon, where faith, hard work, and community shaped my early life. While my family traveled often, it was later that Jesus transformed my love for travel into a calling to serve others with purpose.

    After college, I worked in radio promotions, developing skills in writing and communication that God would later use in ministry. On my first mission trip to Kenya, where I documented the experience through a digital journal, God confirmed my calling to serve beyond short-term missions. I believe hope is found when we follow Jesus and use our God-given talents to love and uplift others.

A man and a young girl smiling and hugging indoors. The man is wearing a colorful flower lei and a black T-shirt with a logo; the girl is wearing glasses and a blue uniform with a name tag that reads "Lillian Wanjiku." There are decorative letters in the background, and the setting appears joyful and celebratory.

  • My name is Greg Holifield, I'm a recent addition to the team. Huruma Hope was my first missions trip in my 65 years of life. I've served locally with Habitat for Humanity, Love In the Name of Christ (INC), and with my church, but I've never served like this. I don't believe it will be my last mission The Kenyan people are so humble and kind, the children are eager to learn and be with you and they love the Lord. I never knew the joy that could be found in serving so far away. My hope is that you too find that joy in supporting us in prayer or in many other ways. Perhaps it will be on your heart to be missional, perhaps maybe even in Huruma? I answered the call, I hope that you do too.

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