How Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi Nurtures Orphans at Dedan Kimathi Foundation Children’s Home
“I protect them as if they were my own. Five years is not just a number. If I tell you I don’t have time and energy for revenge and retaliation, just know that I have an assignment from the universe to help such souls and bring them forth to the world as good citizens. So may God help me.” – Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi
In a world that often forgets its most vulnerable, Evelyn Wanjugu Kimathi stands as a living testament to compassion, resilience, and duty. As the daughter of freedom fighter Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, she has chosen not to live in the shadows of history but to shape a better future by caring for the orphans who bear the scars of societal neglect. Through the Dedan Kimathi Foundation Children’s Home, Evelyn is not merely running a facility—she is nurturing a family.
A Calling, Not a Career
For Evelyn, the decision to care for orphans is deeply personal and spiritual. She refers to it as an “assignment from the universe”, a mission bestowed upon her not out of obligation, but from a place of love and calling. While some are driven by ambition or fame, Evelyn is driven by the belief that every child deserves dignity, love, and an opportunity to thrive.
The Foundation of Care
At the heart of the Dedan Kimathi Foundation Children’s Home is a culture built on three pillars:
Love and Belonging
Evelyn ensures every child feels wanted. From warm embraces to shared meals and stories, she treats each orphan not as a project, but as part of her own family. Her approach is maternal, not managerial. “I protect them as if they were my own,” she often says, and anyone who visits the home can immediately see the truth in that statement.
Structure and Stability
Many children arrive at the home from chaotic or traumatic environments. Evelyn understands that healing begins with stability—consistent meals, daily routines, a safe bed to sleep in, and predictable schooling. Under her leadership, the home provides both physical and emotional security.
Empowerment through Education
As a champion of legacy and leadership, Evelyn places immense value on education. Every child in the home is enrolled in school, and older children are mentored in skills that foster self-reliance—be it farming, music, art, or technical training. Her long-term vision is not just to shelter these children but to equip them to transform their communities.
Five Years of Faithfulness
Running the children’s home for over five years has not been without challenges. From funding shortages to health emergencies and social stigma, Evelyn has weathered many storms. But in every challenge, she has seen an opportunity to grow stronger, lean more on God, and reaffirm her commitment to the children.
In those five years, she has not merely been a director—she has been a nurse when illness strikes, a teacher when lessons are needed, a cook when food runs short, and above all, a mother when tears fall. She embodies the meaning of servant leadership.
Not Just a Shelter—A Launchpad
Evelyn believes orphans should not be defined by their past but by their potential. Through partnerships with well-wishers, local leaders, and institutions, she has helped facilitate:
- Access to therapy and counseling
- Scholarship programs
- Reintegration with extended families where appropriate
- Sponsorship for secondary and tertiary education
- Spiritual nurturing and moral guidance
Her ultimate goal is that every child who passes through the Dedan Kimathi Foundation Children’s Home will grow into a responsible, empowered citizen—a light in society, not a victim of it.
The Power of Purpose Over Retaliation
When asked about the pains she may have faced in her personal journey, Evelyn chooses not to speak of vengeance or retribution. Instead, she says, “I don’t have time or energy for revenge. I have an assignment.” That clarity of purpose has become her guiding light. Her life is a living parable of choosing grace over grievance, and healing over hatred.
While Evelyn carries the torch of her father’s legacy, she is building a new legacy of her own—one that calls upon every person of conscience to rise up and protect the forgotten children of this nation. The Dedan Kimathi Foundation Children’s Home thrives not only on Evelyn’s strength but also on the generosity of kindred spirits.
If you’re reading this, consider becoming part of the story:
- Sponsor a child’s education.
- Donate clothes, food, or learning materials.
- Volunteer your time.
- Raise awareness in your circles.
A Heart That Never Forgets
In every child she cradles, Evelyn sees a future she is helping shape—a future that will someday thank her for choosing love when bitterness was an option. She has turned her pain into purpose, and her life is a sanctuary for the souls entrusted to her care.
As she often prays, “So may God help me”—and may He also help us to follow her example.
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Let love lead. Let purpose prevail. Let the orphans know they are not alone.
