Visiting Achungo
Trip Details
Our trip includes 2 days of safari and over a week at Achungo Children’s Centre, whose mission is to transform the lives of orphans and destitute children in Kenya. Our activities will include working in the classroom and playing with the children, teaching games, sports and tutoring as well as helping the staff and teachers. This is a full immersion experience focused on relational connection with the staff and students. We currently lead 2 trips each year — in late January and late June. (The January trip is less expensive and typically a smaller team).
Next Dates: January 18, 2025 – January 30
Total cost estimate (including flights): January: $3,300 June: $4,200
Ages: Open to any adults and children 10+ accompanied by an adult.
Team Meetings: 4 preparatory meetings during the 2 months prior to the trip
Sign up Deadlines: Early March (for June trip) and September (for January trip)
Sign up HERE to apply for this trip.
For more information please contact Monte Fisher, email: mfisher@menlo.church
Some testimonials from those who have been on the trip to Achungo:
The Achungo Experience (the team shares via video)
When you said it was a life-changing experience, I thought that was a bit audacious. But I found it to be true and I think a few teachers from our school should go on this trip every year.
Headmaster from a Bay Area private primary school.
I saw the joy and peace God has to offer us in the serenity of the kids. The kids embody His love and peace that’s ours for the taking, if we step outside ourselves to take it.
Amy Oro M.D.
I was impressed by the way the kids interacted with each other. They loved each other like siblings.
Hannah Leonard, 19
The trip gave me confidence to be a freshman in college and in a new environment.
Hannah Leonard, 19
Best part of the trip was the connections I made with the kids and other mission trip participants.
Rachel Leonard, 23
I was surprised at how selfless the kids were. They don’t have much but are willing to share.
Caleb Hanson, 17
You could just see God in those little kids’ eyes.
Kyler Hanson, 14
The trip rekindled my desire to use my medical skills in service to others outside my current job.
Amy Oro, M.D.
The girls asked questions about human biology. “Start with the respiratory system, and we’ll go from there,” they said. And it was 3:30 pm—time when they could have enjoyed free play and being outside.
Amy Oro, M.D.
The students were so welcoming…and so sad to see us leave.
Rachel Leonard, 23
The students showed they are really serious learners—they know what school is going to mean for their life and future.
Paul Schneider, 75
I saw God at work in the dedication of the teachers and the way the kids respond to their enthusiasm. They’re all in.
Paul Schneider, 75
We have so much that gets in our way here in America. A lot of things become our idols. Kids there don’t.
Paul Schneider, 75
I saw teachers really loving on kids like they were family. I felt like God is alive and well and working here.
Mary McBride
I heard a teacher, who was leading a chapel service, say, “We are not orphans because God is our father.” It was a great spiritual growth time for me.
Mary McBride
I found I could get involved in new experiences and be adventurous.
Paul Schneider, 75
It was oddly peaceful there, which had to do with their pace of life, their contentment. Wherever you were at Achungo, people would talk to you. It was easy to start making connections.
Kate McBride, 16
The most profound thing for me was witnessing the joy in the children that was totally not related to their circumstances. Many expressed that they know God loves them.
Mary McBride
The safari was a highlight of the trip. Being in God’s creation was truly breathtaking. I was in awe. A slice of heaven.
Mary McBride
I learned God meets you where you are. It was cool to see God meet me there and for Him to meet the kids where they were. Our God is the same wherever we are.
Kate McBride, 16
It was not easy to hear some of the things the kids have been through to get there. You’d never want that for anyone.
Kate McBride, 16
Sometimes we think we know what makes us happy. Being there and seeing how happy they are with less stuff, makes me think “Couldn’t I give half of this stuff anyway?” I probably will.
Kathy Waddell, 51
I came away amazed at how much change one person can create, meaning Michael Nyangi. One person can do it. That was empowering.
Hannah MacLeod, 17
There I felt closer to where God was working and moving than I ever have before. It was a little haven of hope.
Hannah MacLeod, 17
I was inspired by the maturity of these 7th and 8th graders. I look up to them.
Hannah MacLeod, 17
I watched all these kids, realizing that a lot of them were on the streets before and now are wearing cute uniforms, speak three languages and know more about science and biology than I do. They can change Kenya!”
Hannah MacLeod, 17
I loved the community aspect of the trip. We could interact with other adults, too, which we don’t get to do enough.
Susan MacLeod
Everybody wants to go back to Achungo.
Rod MacLeod, referring to his family of 5
I’ve been able to store away little nuggets from the trip that I reflect on a lot. They’ve gently nudged me back to where God wants me.
Rod MacLeod
Our family’s second trip to Achungo was really interesting. The Achungo people totally remembered us; it was weird. I felt like I was able to give and receive in a different way this time. The first time I was more reserved.
Kathy Waddell, 51
The human connection was unbelievable. I’d rather go back to Kenya than go to the moon.
Kathy Waddell, 51
This trip provides another level of being human. No one’s looking at your make up, shoes, etc. I’d spend a month there with my kids if I could.
Kathy Waddell, 51