Nairobi, Kenya
Yes to Kids Foundation
Dr. Tom Olewe’s ministry in Nairobi is situated in a perfect location to minister to the underserved. The ministry is near the Kibera slums where poverty and limited accessibility to health care is a problem.
The ministry has grown since starting as a street project in 2000 to help the poor and homeless overcome drug and alcohol additions.
Olewe runs a comprehensive laboratory and has basic radiological services. He plans to soon add some surgical services as well. Well-child clinics are held twice a week.
A new sickle cell disease management and information center (COSMIC) is being established in 2024 to help the population deal with the impactful effects of the disease that in prevalent among Kenyans.
Outreach services are offered through community health promoters who are trained to incorporate relational evangelism and discipleship into their approaches. Weekly prayer services are held at the clinic and open to the public.
Dr. Tom Olewe
About the ministry:
Name: Yes to Kids Foundation
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Director: Dr. Tom Olewe
Partnership: 2001-present
Staff: 13
Alumni PMT: Jim Koerselman; Dr. Stewart Odell; Dr. Jim and Ellarie Spindler.
Our mission:
“To be a premier health services provider dedicated to building long-term relationships with clients through quality medical services, health training, relational evangelism and discipleship.”
Why I love being a director:
“The unequaled opportunity to witness for Christ and for personal growth in faith.”
About Kenya:
Population: 54.7 million
Size: 580,367 sq. km, or about twice the size of Nevada
Capital: Nairobi
Borders: Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia to the north; Somalia to the east; Indian Ocean to the southeast; Tanzania to the south.
Religious groups: Protestant, 33.4%; Catholic, 20.6%; Evangelical 20.4; Muslim, 10.9%
Primary language: English, Swahili
Literacy (age 15+): 81.5%
Physician density: 0.16 doctors per 1,000 people.
Population below international poverty line: 36.1%
Life expectancy: 69.3 years
Infant mortality rate: 28.8 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Major exports: Tea, coffee, petroleum, fish, cement.
Climate: Varies from tropical along the coast to arid in the interior.
Terrain: Low plains rise to central highlands; fertile plateau in the west.
