The Giving Exchange 2025 Trip to Africa
August 10–19, 2025 | Kenya & Uganda
Every August, The Giving Exchange travels to East Africa with a shared purpose: to raise awareness, strengthen relationships with our partners, and oversee the progress of our sustainable programs. Over ten days, eleven Ambassadors witnessed the power of community, leadership, education, and collaboration at every stop. This year’s Trip to Africa was filled with unforgettable moments, meaningful learning, and inspiring encounters that deepened our commitment to building a more equitable future together.
Day 1: Settling In
Our journey began with warm reunions and introductions at Morning Star in Kiambu, Kenya. After long flights, the team enjoyed farm tours, made box-stitch lanyards, and learned to cook chapati with our hosts. It was a joyful start, filled with anticipation for the days ahead.
Day 2: Morning Star Children’s Home & Njoo Dada Trust
The day started with breakfast and shared hopes for the week. At Morning Star, Francis and Reah (Morning Star Directors) and Rod (TGE Founder) guided first-time Ambassadors through TGE-supported projects on the compound including a septic system, biogas, solar heaters, and gardens. Later, at Njoo Dada Trust, we toured the training container provided by TGE, joined in games, painted with children, and visited graduates now running successful small businesses. The day closed with dinner by flashlight after a local power outage, and heartfelt reflections on community resilience.
Watch the video tour from our Facebook LIVE.
Day 3: Sons of Manasseh & Divine Mercy Children’s Home
We visited Sons of Manasseh, where children receive care and education alongside vocational training in sewing and poultry. A highlight was hearing about a successful order of 100 school uniforms sewn by trainees. At Divine Mercy, Sister Esther introduced us to a livestock project producing 65 gallons of milk daily, with plans to quadruple production. We ended the day with a movie night with the kids back at Morning Star.
Day 4: Free Day – Field Trips!
Our team split into groups: some joined Morning Star children on a joyous amusement park trip, others explored Nairobi National Park, while a third group represented TGE at the Nairobi Roundtable on Strategic Collaborative Partnerships. The evening brought everyone back together for hands-on farm work at Morning Star.
Day 5: Baraka Women’s Center & Street Business School Entrepreneurs
At Baraka Women’s Center, we learned how TGE-funded six-month training programs in computers, dressmaking, and beauty are empowering women and mothers with marketable skills. In the afternoon, we met children thriving in a home that integrates farming and vocational training thanks to the Street Business School curriculum. The day ended with a visit to a coffee farm and a heartfelt farewell barbecue with Morning Star children and staff.
Day 6: Travel Day, Kenya to Uganda
We left Nairobi early and traveled to Uganda, settling into Kasese. That evening we shared dinner with Jolly from Youth Partner Uganda and Josephat from Karambi Group of People Living with Disabilities, two visionary leaders of TGE-supported programs.
Day 7: Inspire Girls & Beekeeping with RWOFCD
We were welcomed by Lillian Biira and the Inspire Girls Focus Foundation, where we met youth empowered through tailoring, soap making, and leadership programs. In the afternoon, we visited 100 thriving beehives with Rural Women for Community Development, which have produced over one ton of honey in three years. Gifts and stories were exchanged, underscoring the value of sustainable livelihoods.
Day 8: YES Fish Farm & ROCS Coffee Cooperative
At YES Empowerment Services, we learned how fish farming is transforming food security and livelihoods for 60 families. Later, we journeyed up the mountains with Rwenzori Organic Coffee Society to see TGE-supported washing machines and drying racks in action. Farmers also showcased briquettes made from coffee husks as an innovative new energy source.
Day 9: Purple Ray & Skills Centrum Rwenzori
Our morning drive took us through Queen Elizabeth National Park, complete with elephant sightings and breathtaking landscapes. At Purple Ray, we saw an inspiring makerspace buzzing with creativity: tailoring, woodworking, podcasting, soap making, and more. TGE-supported briquette machines are already fueling new opportunities. Later, at Skills Centrum Rwenzori, we met women weaving raffia baskets and handbags to support a village of over 1,300 people displaced by floods. We closed the trip with a final dinner, gratitude, and reflections on all we had experienced.
Key Takeaways
After ten unforgettable days, three lessons stood out:
Strong leadership is essential. Every thriving project we saw had visionary leaders at the helm.
Education is key. From sewing and soap making to agriculture and fish farming, education unlocks opportunity. This is why The Giving Exchange has hired a new full-time Head Trainer based in Nairobi. More to come.
Collaborative partnerships make us stronger. None of this impact is possible without communities, local leaders, and supporters working hand-in-hand. Some of our outstanding partners this year include: Unite to Light, US-Africa-Initiatives (USAFI), TuiFUND, Women In Gods Spirit (WINGS) of Oakland, and the Kiwanis Club of Glendale.
Join Us in What’s Next
Our trip reaffirmed why we do this work. Together, we can spark transformation that lasts for generations. If you’re inspired, we invite you to take the next step:
Come to our Gala on October 30 in California to hear more stories and meet Lillian Biira in person. REGISTER TODAY!
Sign up to join us on next year’s trip and see the impact firsthand.
Together, we are The Giving Exchange. Together, we create lasting impact.