In February of 2007, I had arrived in Medellin, Colombia for two weeks to work with the Open Arms Foundation and in the homes they had built for the restoration of street children. 

For a week, the team and I went up to the Boys’ Home, which was close to the city of San Pedro, Colombia, to do some construction and meet the boys who lived there. 

I met this boy, Yilmar (far left), who had just arrived at the Boys Home.

He was kind, playful, considerate of others, and devoted to the home. Everything he did, he did with excitement and joy, if it was playing soccer or doing the daily chores each boy had. 

Immediately, we connected, even with the language barrier. Before I left, he told me, with his very little and broken up English, that his dream was to go to America. 

I immediately told him, “When you come to America, you can come to my house.” 

His face lit up, and so did mine. 

When I returned home, I knew I was to go back to Colombia, and I ended up going back 4 more times within the next 3 years. Each time I went back, Yilmar was there, and our friendship grew (along with his English speaking skills)

His dream of coming to America is well and alive, and this past week, he arrived at my home in West Virginia. 

I couldn’t have been more blessed to see his dream and our dream of him coming to my house, come alive. He’s one of the most dedicated and selfless people I’ve ever met; his heart is made of gold, and his life is filled with pure intent. 

I’m so excited about his bright future and to see where he goes in life. 

Go here to read an article in our local newspaper about Yilmar and his story of how he ended up on the streets, found the Open Arms Foundation, got to America, and what he is doing now. 

As many of you know, I’m very passionate about compassion and care for the poor and those in need. For the last 5 years, I’ve worked with many organizations, including the Open Arms Foundation, Without Words: moving against the sex trade, Make Way Partners, CitiImpact Ministries, and have been an advocate for names like Artists Inspiring Action, Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth (the documentary), Love146 and others.

My dream for the last 5 years has been to work with a non-profit organization full-time in areas such as art, media, marketing, grassroots awareness and support, photo, video, social media, etc…

Today, I’m pleased to share that I am the official Arts & Media Director for Friends of Belwop, Inc., “a USA-based organization that supports and promotes the well-being of violated, neglected, and orphaned children in Kenya” through a Kenya based NGO, Belwop Rescue Center. Also, as you’ve seen posted here on S. Clayton before, the Belwop Project is a supporter also of Belwop Rescue Center and has been working with Friends of Belwop, Inc. 

Watch The Belwop Project short film HERE.

I’m so excited to jump into this position with a heart ready to serve the needs of the violated, neglected and orphaned children in Nyeri, Kenya, assisting FOB & Belwop Rescue Center in building their support base and arts, media and marketing department.

Here in the coming months, I will be releasing several exciting events here in Charleston, WV and other areas, as well as on the web, for all of you to consider being a part of! I will also be sending out a support letter to anyone interested in supporting me prayerfully or financially.

If you are one of those interested in receiving a support letter, send me an email with your name and physical address (stephenstonestreet@gmail.com) and I will send a letter your way to help me get to Kenya in August!

Thank you all so much for your support, both prayerfully, relationally and financially! You all are amazing and I’m so thankful that you all are in my life.

Make sure to check out Friends of Belwop, Inc. (www.friendsofbelwop.org), Belwop Rescue Center (www.facebook.com/Belwop), and the Belwop Project (www.belwopproject.com - WATCH THE FILM)!

“Hope Has A Home” 

Belwop Rescue Center exists for one single purpose:  to give a hope and a home to the abused, neglected, and orphaned children of Kenya.  Started in 2005 through the vision and faithfulness of one woman - Veronica Mumbi - Belwop is an orphanage that creates an environment that fosters learning, personal growth, and equal rights.  Belwop has opened its doors to over 50 children, and several are now adults and completely self sufficient.  Located in the little town of Nyeri in rural Kenya, it isn’t likely you’ve ever heard of Belwop before… but once you have seen Belwop, it will never leave you.

Right now twenty two kids call Belwop home, call Veronica ‘mother’, and are receiving an education thanks to the efforts of people like you and me!  Unfortunately, right now all these kids live in three small bedrooms and share a single working toilet… Belwop has reached capacity and cannot admit anymore children, yet there are so many more that need a home.  Every day Veronica has no choice but to sadly turn away more children because there just isn’t enough space for everyone, and we think that isn’t right.  So, we’re doing something about it.

We need to raise $100,000 to build a new orphanage or purchase and enhance an existing building that will fit 100 kids.  Yeah, a hundred thousand dollars is a lot of change, but it’s nothing compared to the real change it will produce in the lives of these beautiful kids.  Once we’ve reached our goal and purchase the home, we’ll need ongoing support to keep things running, and we’ll need more partners and volunteers to help us.

Learn more at www.belwopproject.com.