Hope and Healing: April 2026 Impact Report
Hilda’s Legacy House
(formerly House of Faraja Safe House)
HopeCo’s Vision: Transformed Lives, Flourishing Communities
HopeCo exists to rescue children in East Africa from abuse, hunger, and exploitation. We are dedicated to helping them reach their full potential and become leaders and changemakers in their own nations. And we are passionate about seeing individuals, families, and whole communities transformed forever by the power of Jesus Christ!
A Legacy of Hope
Hilda Boke Mahare was only on this earth for 47 years, but the legacy she left cannot be numbered in years. She was passionate about serving others and freely gave her time and love, encouraging the discouraged and bringing hope wherever she could. As HopeCo’s Kenya Programs Director, she saw the needs in her community and worked to make a difference.
“Hilda had a compelling vision: that vulnerable girls be rescued from hopeless situations and given the opportunity to experience healing, dignity, and the love of Jesus. She pursued that vision with compassion and excellence, helping create and shape a ministry that has transformed many lives.” - Matt Parker, HopeCo Board Member (former CEO)
In 2022, Hilda was the motivation to open our safe house for abused young girls in Kenya, known as the House of Faraja (HOF). (Faraja is of Swahili origin and means "comfort" or "consolation.") In memory of Hilda, HopeCo leadership has changed the name of the home to Hilda’s Legacy House.
Hilda’s Legacy House has the capacity to adequately care for 10 girls at a time; currently, we are caring for six girls in the home. Since opening the home, we’ve received girls as young as three years of age, and as old as 23 years with her baby (she was the first girl brought into the home). Young girls from unheard-of, trauma-related circumstances are brought to our safe home, including fleeing from the terrors of Female Genital Mutilation. Annual costs to rescue and provide for their specialized care are considerably higher ($2,500 per child) than sponsoring a child, due to the professional and individualized care they require.
IMMEDIATE URGENT CARE
• Rescue vulnerable girls swiftly, safely, and effectively out of crisis circumstances, especially when they are at risk.
• Provide immediate essential care tailored to their individual physical, social, and psychological needs in an inviting, secure, and joyful environment.
SAFE, SECURE SHELTER
• Qualified staff ensure that their emotional and spiritual needs are met with prayerful trauma-informed counsel, daily devotions, and the life-giving hope that Jesus gives.
• Education is resumed at a local school, vital to a return to normalcy, and always with the girl’s safety prioritized.
• Loving, family-style nurturing includes fun, healthy recreational activities and socialization essential to empowering them with confidence and value to heal and thrive.
JUSTICE AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
• Justice, first and foremost for each girl, will be pursued through legal proceedings so the perpetrator is accountable for his/her actions.
• Supported preparation for each girl to testify in a safe, non-public environment takes time, counsel, and moves each girl forward in her healing journey.
• As appropriate and safe for each girl, reintegration to a family (possibly theirs) is the hopeful outcome and is always carefully evaluated and never rushed, and only considered after the perpetrator is convicted and serving a prison sentence.
• Regular interventions after reintegration ensure the girl is safe, well cared for, and continuing her healing journey through our community outreach initiatives.
