Empowering orphaned children and youth led families to overcome life threatening poverty, move beyond charity, and experience meaningful lives.
​          Through a global network of local organizations, Zoe Empowers provides a scalable and sustainable framework in which vulnerable youth led families are equipped to become safe and healthy, skilled for long-term success, and supported within their community.
          Zoe Empowers began in 2004, as a response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zimbabwe.  Initially, our work consisted of feeding programs, medical services, and other relief activities for orphaned children through schools and churches.
          Zoe transitioned out of relief work, and supported Epiphanie in bringing this approach to Kenya in addition to Rwanda, and then to Zimbabwe.
          Since 2007, Zoe Empowers has translated the empowerment model across cultures and contexts, impacting more than 150,000 vulnerable children, across eight countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Liberia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and India. Each program within the Zoe network is locally-owned and operated, with support from a nimble U.S.-based team.
​          The Zoe Empowers model is distinctive and effective because of its focus on self-sufficiency. The goal is to not do anything for program participants that they could otherwise do for themselves. Our approach has proven that orphaned children have the necessary gifts and abilities to overcome extreme poverty; they lack only opportunity and support. Once on the path toward self-sufficiency, vulnerable youth become increasingly independent, quickly moving beyond the need for charity, both in present and future.

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Neema Matiandui Kenya 2020-2022 Report

ZOE Upendo Lanyiru Group - Kenya 2023-2025

                                 ​ZOE EMPOWERS UPDATE AS OF JUNE 2023 | Empowering Vulnerable Children Beyond Charity
Zoe Staff Take Innovative Step To Recruit Those Most In Need  by Mwambia Mercy Kendi, Zoe Kenya Communications Facilitator
The news that the Zoe Empowers Kenya program can recruit a new class of youth into the program is always met with a lot of excitement among the team.  Quickly, the mapping process starts to determine which communities are best suited for the program. Click here to read the full report.

A message from Laura Nemecek, Communications Director, Zoe Empowers:
          A little over three years ago, Zoe Empowers Kenya staff members gathered together a group of orphaned and vulnerable children who were entrenched in extreme poverty.  These young people had little hope that things could improve, but you all at First Myrtle Beach knew that they deserved better and led by God you stepped out in faith to provide resources and prayers so they could realize a different future. It worked!
          The support you provided empowered the youth to establish businesses and become food secure.  You helped ensure that the children had adequate housing, access to medical care, returned to school, and had opportunities to experience God's love.  This group has completed Zoe’s three-year empowerment program and are ready to continue creating a brighter future for their families and their community.  The detailed graduation report is attached.
          Now you are giving this same life changing opportunity to another group of children as you begin an additional three year partnership.  The name list and picture for this group are also attached.
          All of us - Zoe staff, children, and the communities in which they live - are grateful for your support.

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