FROM OUR FOUNDER, KELLY SHAUGHNESSY
"Poverty is a cycle; we are the interruption. From the first school meal to the first professional paycheck, we provide the stability students need to move beyond survival and into leadership.
Since 2012, Light Up Hope has evolved from providing basic school sponsorships to dismantling the systems that keep families in poverty. We don’t believe in "band-aid" solutions; we invest in the long-term mental, physical, and professional health of Kenya’s youth.
From Education to Independence
What began as primary school support has grown into a holistic ecosystem. Our university program integrates robust mental health counseling and mentorship, ensuring students don’t just graduate—they thrive. Today, our alumni are leading the way as Kenyan businesspeople and professionals.
Combating the Climate Crisis
In 2022, we pivoted to address a new threat: climate change. In drought-stricken Kajiado County, we currently:
Feed over 85,000 students daily to ensure hunger never hinders learning.
Transition pastoral communities toward sustainable careers through targeted high school and university placement and household economic empowerment.
The Work Ahead
While we celebrate our success, the gap remains wide. Only 15-17% of Kenyan girls graduate from university, and 90 schools in Kajiado still urgently need food interventions. We are on a mission to interrupt the cycle of systemic poverty—not just for today, but for good.
With the help of our very committed and talented staff, as well as individual and organizational donors, we know we can continue to light a path out of poverty for more deserving children, young adults, and families in Kenya in the years to come!