Rehema means mercy in Swahili.
A Home Built on Mercy
But above all, we are a home. A place where children are known by name, where prayer and encouragement are part of daily life, and where lives are steadily transformed through mercy.
Our work begins with the belief that God’s mercy is meant to be lived out through faithful relationships. Real restoration takes time, patience, and love that stays.
At Rehema Home, that mercy takes shape in everyday family life. Our children receive safe housing, nutritious meals, medical care, education and the steady guidance of care givers who walk with them as they grow.
A Home Built on Mercy
But above all, we are a home. A place where children are known by name, where prayer and encouragement are part of daily life, and where lives are steadily transformed through mercy.
Our work begins with the belief that God’s mercy is meant to be lived out through faithful relationships. Real restoration takes time, patience, and love that stays.
At Rehema Home, that mercy takes shape in everyday family life. Our children receive safe housing, nutritious meals, medical care, education and the steady guidance of care givers who walk with them as they grow.
Rehema means mercy in Swahili.
Our History
Rehema Home grew out of a lifelong calling to serve others in Kenya.
Irvin and Ruth Schwandt married and settled their lives in Kenya in the 1970s, raising their family there while serving local communities through Christian ministry. In 1998, that calling led them to open their home to children who had been orphaned, welcoming them into family life grounded in faith, care, and belonging.
What began as one home has grown into the Rehema family today, with two homes in Kenya and supporters around the world who share a commitment to faithful, long-term care.
Together, we are rewriting stories.
Our History
Rehema Home grew out of a lifelong calling to serve others in Kenya.
Irvin and Ruth Schwandt married and settled their lives in Kenya in the 1970s, raising their family there while serving local communities through Christian ministry. In 1998, that calling led them to open their home to children who had been orphaned, welcoming them into family life grounded in faith, care, and belonging.
What began as one home has grown into the Rehema family today, with two homes in Kenya and supporters around the world who share a commitment to faithful, long-term care.
Together, we are rewriting stories.
Our Vision for Every Child
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow into the life God created them for.
Our vision is to see vulnerable children in Kenya flourish through exceptional care, education, and long-term support. At Rehema Home, children are surrounded by relationships that nurture their growth from childhood into adulthood.
We pursue this vision through meaningful partnerships with individuals and churches, empowering Kenyan leadership, and stewarding resources with transparency and integrity. Through faithful care and lasting relationships, transformation can echo far beyond a single life, creating a legacy of hope and mercy for generations.
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Today nearly sixty children live here, from newborns to young adults. English is the primary language spoken throughout the home, reflecting daily life in Nairobi. The children also learn and practice Swahili together as part of their schooling and culture.
Life here is busy and familiar: homework at the table, family meals in the dining room, plenty of laundry, and the joyful rhythm of growing up together.
Rehema Home Nairobi
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Rehema Home Nairobi sits in a residential suburb on the outskirts of Nairobi, on a half-acre property that includes a house with shared bedrooms, living and dining areas for family meals, a kitchen, and a baby room filled with cribs. Outside are gardens, a laundry area, and a play space with a basketball hoop, swings, a slide, a trampoline (with a net!) and a jungle gym.
Rehema Home Bukura joined the Rehema family in 2013 and is run by a dedicated team of Kenyan staff in a rural village about 250 kilometers from Nairobi.
The spacious compound includes a large home with separate quarters for boys, girls and babies, a greenhouse, chicken coop and large, open areas where children can run and play.
Rehema Home Bukura
Rehema Home Bukura cares for around 25 children at any time, most under the age of five. Like any home filled with young children, the days include round-the-clock feedings, frequent clinic visits, and plenty of laundry.
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The Rehema Approach
Our vision is lived out through four guiding commitments that shape life at Rehema Home.
Mercy
Mercy is expressed through practical care offered with dignity: safe housing, nutritious meals, medical care, and individual attention within faith-rooted rhythms of prayer and discipleship.
Hope
We invest in each child’s long-term future through education, life-skills training, and mentorship, equipping them to pursue a flourishing life.
Family
Family is our model. Children thrive when they belong. Daily life is built on relationship, stability, and lifelong commitment.
Transformation
Lasting change happens when children are nurtured holistically in a loving home. Over time, restored lives can change the future of families and communities.
Our Vision for Every Child
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow into the life God created them for.
Our vision is to see vulnerable children in Kenya flourish through exceptional care, education, and long-term support. At Rehema Home, children are surrounded by relationships that nurture their growth from childhood into adulthood.
We pursue this vision through meaningful partnerships with individuals and churches, empowering Kenyan leadership, and stewarding resources with transparency and integrity. Through faithful care and lasting relationships, transformation can echo far beyond a single life, creating a legacy of hope and mercy for generations.
The Rehema Approach
Our vision is lived out through four guiding commitments that shape life at Rehema Home.
Mercy
Mercy is expressed through practical care offered with dignity: safe housing, nutritious meals, medical care, and individual attention within faith-rooted rhythms of prayer and discipleship.
Hope
We invest in each child’s long-term future through education, life-skills training, and mentorship, equipping them to pursue a flourishing life.
Family
Family is our model. Children thrive when they belong. Daily life is built on relationship, stability, and lifelong commitment.
Transformation
Lasting change happens when children are nurtured holistically in a loving home. Over time, restored lives can change the future of families and communities.
Rehema Home Nairobi
Rehema Home Nairobi sits in a residential suburb on the outskirts of Nairobi, on a half-acre property that includes a house with shared bedrooms, living and dining areas for family meals, a kitchen, and a baby room filled with cribs. Outside are gardens, a laundry area, and a play space with a basketball hoop, swings, a slide, a trampoline (with a net!) and a jungle gym.
Today nearly sixty children live here, from newborns to young adults. English is the primary language spoken throughout the home, reflecting daily life in Nairobi. The children also learn and practice Swahili together as part of their schooling and culture.
Life here is busy and familiar: homework at the table, family meals in the dining room, plenty of laundry, and the joyful rhythm of growing up together.
Rehema Home Bukura
Rehema Home Bukura joined the Rehema family in 2013 and is run by a dedicated team of Kenyan staff in a rural village about 250 kilometers from Nairobi.
The spacious compound includes a large home with separate quarters for boys, girls and babies, a greenhouse, chicken coop and large, open areas where children can run and play.
Rehema Home Bukura cares for around 25 children at any time, most under the age of five. Like any home filled with young children, the days include round-the-clock feedings, frequent clinic visits, and plenty of laundry.
Transparency and Leadership
Rehema Home is sustained by the generosity of a worldwide family of supporters.
We are committed to stewarding those gifts with transparency, integrity, and accountability. Learn more about our leadership and financial stewardship below.
Rehema means mercy. And every day, that mercy continues to change lives.