Webb Mills UMC celebrates global partnership supporting education in Kenya

By UNY Communications | Email 

A partnership that began with a mission trip has grown into a life-changing ministry that is opening doors for children and youth in Kenya. 

Webb Mills United Methodist Church in Pine City recently welcomed the Rev. Pamela Okinda, director of the Kenya Scholarship Program and Hope for Girls, to worship on Sunday, June 14, 2026. The visit was an opportunity to celebrate the congregation's ongoing partnership with Rev. Okinda and the impact it is making in the lives of students and their families. 

The connection began in 2018 when Webb Mills UMC’s Pastor, Dr. Holly Strickland met Rev. Okinda during a mission trip to Kenya. Their shared passion for education and Christian ministry sparked a friendship that has continued to flourish across continents. 

Today, Webb Mills UMC partners with Rev. Okinda to support two vital ministries serving children and youth in Nairobi and Migori. 

The Hope for Girls Education Africa ministry helps meet a basic but often overlooked need by providing girls with personal hygiene products that can be difficult to obtain locally. Rev. Okinda regularly visits schools to distribute items such as soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and menstrual hygiene supplies, helping girls stay healthy, confident, and able to remain in school. 

Her second ministry focuses on educational scholarships. Although public education is available in Kenya, families are responsible for paying tuition, uniforms, and school supplies. For many households with multiple children, these expenses are simply out of reach. 

Through the Kenya Scholarship Program, students receive the financial support they need to attend school from kindergarten through high school. After graduation, many become eligible for government-funded university scholarships, while others pursue trade schools where they develop skills in fields such as plumbing, electrical work, and masonry. 

Recognizing their shared commitment to educational opportunity, Rev. Okinda and Dr. Strickland established the Shalom Education Foundation to connect sponsors with students who otherwise would not be able to attend school. 

The results have been life-changing. 

"The ministry program has been highly successful and life-changing," said Ann Welch Wood, Mountain View District Lay Leader. "There are stories about youth who are doing well with their studies, excelling in exams, and setting goals to continue their education and become teachers, lawyers, doctors, carpenters, and other professionals who will benefit their families and communities." 

During Rev. Okinda's visit, Webb Mills UMC celebrated the congregation's continued commitment to sponsoring students by helping provide tuition, uniforms, school supplies, and personal care items. The partnership reflects the church's belief that investing in education is a powerful way to share God's love and create lasting hope. 

Dr. Strickland continues to serve as the U.S. contact for churches, organizations, and individuals interested in supporting the ministries of Hope for Girls and the Shalom Education Foundation.  

"Any amount, large or small, is appreciated to support these ministries," Wood said. 

For more information or to learn how to become a sponsor, contact Dr. Holly Strickland at pastorhollyumc@gmail.com.