Heaven Homes was founded by Mrs Kiptieu F Agyei (Kippy) pictured left, in 2011. A non-profit organisation currently implementing its programme in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Heaven Homes seeks to provide secure, safe and loving environments where children can be nurtured to realise their full potential.
We aim to meet the fundamental needs of our beneficiaries, by empowering them spiritually, physically, socially and emotionally.
Kippy explains what led to the founding of Heaven Homes:
As mere humans I acknowledge that we are far from perfect; therefore my purpose has been found not in my own humanity but is rooted in my understanding of the practical application of Christian values and responsibilities. My Christian walk is not bound in religion or religious ceremonies, but hinges on the liberation afforded by sacrifice, grace, compassion and commission. It is this grace and love that our organisation aims to demonstrate to individuals, communities and nations.
My journey towards this vision has been long and arduous, beginning in a small West African state – Sierra Leone.
To most of my peers my childhood in Africa was very desirable. I lacked nothing. Educated in the best primary and secondary schools, I soon learnt that there was a distinct and visible divide between the rich and the poor.
But this lifestyle soon changed into one of despair when I found myself in the UK in August 1989 at the age of 13. I soon learnt that my privileges did not extend across the Atlantic Ocean.
Shortly after arriving in the UK my life took an unpredictable turn, which meant I had to grow up fast. I had to adjust to a new culture, school, environment and food. Under normal circumstances these reasonable adjustments would have been tolerable and even welcomed. However due to political unrest in my home country of Sierra Leone, my father was imprisoned for a year, whilst the rest of my family were held under house arrest. Once released from prison ‘Papa’ remained under house arrest for a further three years. Political unrest soon escalated into an eleven year civil war, and I had to come to terms with the fact that I would be living without my parents and siblings for a very long time. My parents were absent, not by choice but by circumstances which could not have been envisioned when the decision was made for me to travel to the UK.
So my childhood came to an abrupt end at 13 years old and I was ushered into adulthood without any warning. I started work three days before my 16th birthday, and by my 17th birthday I was living independently in a one-bedroomed flat – my first real ‘home’ in a very long time. I became financially responsible for my family. Yet I was not bitter, knowing that I had been brought out for a purpose.