A Message from the President and Founder
A Journey of Hope and Transformation
Born in 1972, I was the third child in a family of ten—nine boys and one girl. Our modest home in central Kenya was filled with love but often strained by the challenges of daily survival. My parents, Gabriel and Jane, despite their lack of formal employment, were known for their generous hearts, always helping those in need. Their casual work and small seasonal businesses were the lifelines that barely provided for us. Basic needs such as quality education, medical care, clean water, and sanitation often felt like unattainable luxuries.
Despite these hardships, I became the first in my family to obtain a high school education. My two older brothers had to drop out of school early to help support our family. Our living arrangement, with my father in the city and the rest of us in the rural countryside, was a necessary financial strategy. While this separation was difficult, it was a sacrifice we had to make.
My dreams of furthering my education were fueled by a desire for a better future, not just for myself but for my family and community. However, the financial limitations were significant, and starting a business was out of reach due to the lack of capital and job opportunities. Like many others, I turned to manual labor, an unreliable source of income that often felt like an endless cycle of hardship.
I aspired for better opportunities and dreamed of relocating to the United States, a place synonymous with hope and possibility. Applying for a green card was a daunting task, but with the financial and emotional support of our families and friends, we achieved the impossible. In October 2001, my wife Elizabeth, our daughter Rosemary, our son Gabriel, and I landed in Boston, Massachusetts, ready to embrace our new life.
Our hearts, however, remained connected to those we left behind. The opportunities we found in America only highlighted the disparities back home. The gratitude I feel for the life we have been blessed with is beyond words. I thank God for positioning us here and filling my heart with a mission to create opportunities for those who see only barriers.
FOCUS Dream Center was born out of this mission. Established in 2002 and accredited as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization in 2015, FOCUS was created to support sustainable community projects and programs for families, orphans, and vulnerable individuals in Kenya. Our mission statement, “Building Bridges of Hope,” and our vision to be the best global, faith-based non-profit organization supporting a dignified life for those in need guide our every action.
Our projects, such as the Orphaned and Vulnerable Child Support and Sponsorship Program, the Education and Tuition Scholarship Program, our Community Outreach and Mission Programs, and Water and Sanitation Initiatives, aim to address various socioeconomic challenges while raising awareness locally and globally. The PEPEA Youth Empowerment and Support Programs motivate young people to pursue their dreams without limitations. We believe in fostering a safe, valued, and seen community.
In recent years, FOCUS Dream Center has made significant strides, specifically with our FOCUS Dream School Network. Our primary school in Murera, Kenya, now enrolls over 220 students, and the upcoming secondary school in Ruiru will provide quality education closer to home for many in an underserved community. These schools are part of our broader vision to streamline the school-to-work pipeline and reduce Kenya’s high youth unemployment rate.
The FOCUS Dream Vocational and Technical Training College addresses the gap for young adults and older individuals seeking education and market-ready skills to better provide for those whom they love. Our first and flagship course, the Health Services Support Program, has already seen its inaugural 2023 graduates step confidently into the workforce, with the 160+ graduates from our June 2024 ceremony set to join them. This milestone reminds us that our work is just beginning.
My vision for FOCUS was born out of a desire to see my community thrive. I dreamt of accessible food, shelter, quality education, and health services. I wished for clean water and practical life skills for all. I wanted FOCUS Dream Center to inspire belief and hope for a better future.
The challenges have been many, but the outlook has never been brighter. My passion for helping those in need is more than a calling; it’s who I am. As a Reverend, my church ministry has deeply influenced my mission with FOCUS Dream Center. The spiritual engagement initiatives, including our network of Hosanna Liberty Churches spread throughout Kenya and our community outreach events, are integral to our holistic approach to supporting and uplifting communities.
Through Hosanna Liberty Churches, we have been able to touch lives by spreading faith, offering counseling, and fostering a sense of belonging. Our church planting initiatives, evangelism, and crusades have reached countless individuals, providing spiritual nourishment and hope. Community outreach events allow us to address both spiritual and practical needs, promoting unity and collective well-being.
I invite you to join us on this journey. Your support, whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading our message, is vital to the continuation and expansion of our mission. Together, we can build a world where every individual has the opportunity to thrive, where hope is a tangible reality, and where communities are transformed for the better.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can continue building bridges of hope and transforming lives for generations to come.
Reverend Samuel Kariuki
President and Founder, FOCUS Dream Center
