Empowering Through Connection: How a Bracelet Exchange Sparked Radiant Hope Collective

On a dusty road in Namuncha, Kenya, my mission team and I were distributing supplies to the community when I noticed a shy but smiling face in the crowd. A young girl in her red school uniform looked on as I handed out small “sweets” to the children. I waved her over and offered her a piece of gum. She took it, then slipped her small hand into mine as we continued our walk. Looking back, I saw about fifty children trailing behind us, laughing and chatting. My new friend, Faith Natasha, looked up at me with bright brown eyes and a smile that felt like it could change the world.

Later that evening, my husband Grayson connected with a young boy named Abraham, who graciously became his translator. At the end of our walk, Pastor Solomon gathered us for a closing prayer, and once again, my new friend clutched my hand tightly. We had the opportunity to volunteer at the Compassion International Center the next day. As we engaged with the children, I was overjoyed to see Faith again. But this time, there was something even more special: We learned that Faith and Abraham were siblings.

During our time at the center, I spent the day coloring and playing on the playground with Faith Natasha. While playing, Faith Natasha noticed the yellow mosquito bracelet I was wearing and pointed to it. “Do you want this?” I asked, and her eyes lit up with a smile so wide it could light up the whole world. What was meant to be a small gesture of kindness—offering my bracelet to a new friend—ended up inspiring something much greater. 

As our mission came to a close at the center, Abraham led me to meet his mother. She greeted me with such warmth and gratitude, offering me a handmade bracelet to thank me for loving and spending time with her children. Faith proudly placed the bracelet on my wrist, and my heart swelled with emotion. It was a simple gift from a woman who had so little, but gave so much, showing me the true power of love and generosity. In that moment, I knew I wanted to create something that would help empower women like Faith’s mother, providing them with opportunities to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.

The day we had to leave was incredibly difficult. As I packed my bags, Faith stayed by my side, still wearing the yellow bracelet I had given her, and I wore the bracelet from her mother. Saying goodbye to Faith was heartbreaking. She clung to my hand, reluctant to let go. With tears in my eyes, I asked Abraham to continue watching over his sister.  As we boarded the bus and drove away, I looked out the window, waving until I could no longer see her.

Two weeks later, I received an urgent message from Pastor Solomon: Faith’s mother had tragically passed away during childbirth. The loss was devastating, but it also became the driving force behind my commitment to starting Radiant Hope Collective. I knew this was the mission I was called to pursue—to empower women like Faith’s mother, to create opportunities that would help them thrive and provide for their families.

Radiant Hope Collective is born from this love, this connection, and the memory of that simple bracelet exchange. It’s a reminder that through small acts of kindness and compassion, we can change lives, support communities, and make a lasting difference. This mission is dedicated to women like Faith’s mother—who loved with everything she had, despite facing overwhelming hardships. It is through honoring her memory and women like her that we are building a collective where women support women, changing lives, one bracelet at a time.