About the Founder
My name is Marion Karimi. I was born in Meru County, Tigania West Sub-County, Nkomo Ward, into a polygamous family of ten children. I currently live in Nairobi. In 2013, both of my parents passed away.
Growing up, disability was not something distant to me—it lived within my own family. One of my late brothers had autism, my grandfather was visually impaired, and I have close relatives, including cousins and an uncle, who are physically challenged. Sadly, disability in our family was met with stigma, fear, and deep misunderstanding—both within the household and the wider community.
My brother with autism suffered severe mistreatment. Because of his hyperactivity and behavior, he was often locked inside a toilet for long hours. When someone needed to use the latrine, he would be taken out and tied to a fence post, then returned to the dark room once the toilet was free. These memories still live painfully in my heart.
Despite owning many cows and producing plenty of milk, no one in the village would buy from our family. We were labeled a cursed family because of my brother. My sisters suffered greatly—many could not get married, and stigma followed us everywhere. I loved my brother deeply, yet I was powerless to protect him fully.
My late mother was beaten for feeding him, and one day, when I secretly fed him food I had hidden, I was brutally beaten by my father, resulting in a broken finger. That moment left a lifelong scar—not only physically, but emotionally.
Eventually, I was sent to boarding school. When I returned home during a school break, my brother was gone. After insisting on knowing where he was, I was told he had died and had already been buried. Rumors in the village suggested he had been poisoned. I was devastated, but too young to challenge the situation.
For many years, anger and pain filled my heart. But after nearly ten years, I chose forgiveness, trusting that God knew everything that had happened.
After my brother’s death, my compassion for people with special needs grew even stronger. While teaching Sunday school at church, I cared deeply for two children with disabilities—one being my cousin. I ensured they were clean, fed, and included, even buying small items like sweets and handkerchiefs so they would feel accepted and dignified.
Later, I pursued Special Needs Education, which confirmed my calling. I realized that if someone had intervened, my brother could have lived a life of care, dignity, and protection. That realization became my life mission.
At the age of 27, I stepped out in faith. On 18th February 2005, I founded Hope & Faith Home for Special Children.
God’s Confirmation of the Calling
God used people to confirm my calling.
One such person was Mr. Joseph Macharia, who had constructed rental premises with twelve double rooms, six toilets, and four bathrooms. When I approached him to rent the facility for the Home, I poured out my heart and shared the vision God had placed within me.
After consulting with his wife, he returned with a remarkable decision:
They allowed us to use the facility free of charge for ten months as their family’s contribution to God’s work. This was a powerful confirmation that this vision was not mine alone—it was God’s.
My pastor also supported the mission by donating 30 beds and bedding from Avenue Hospital, which were being disposed of.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7
The Birth of Hope & Faith
The name Hope & Faith Home for Special Children was inspired by Scripture and my own family history—a life where hope, faith, and love were absent for my brother. God revealed to me that I was called to serve, not to be served, and to offer abandoned children what my brother never received:
hope, faith, and above all—love through care and protection.
This is the heart behind Hope & Faith Home for Special Children.
