About us
Agape is the word the Bible uses to describe the transformative love of Jesus Christ for all of us, and forms the cornerstone of all our work to reconcile children with God and family.
About us
Agape is the word the Bible uses to describe the transformational love of Jesus Christ for all of us, and forms the cornerstone of all our work to reconcile children with God and family.

our story
How we started out and our core beliefs
the team
Get to know our staff and ministry partners
join us!
Discover opportunities at Agape
ON Campus
Explore our two Kenyan campuses
Financials
Our financial accountability

Our founder, Darla Calhoun, in the early days of Agape
Our Story
Agape began in Kisumu, Kenya in 1993 as a response from the compassionate heart of our founder, Darla Calhoun, RN. Darla was working in community health in the villages and small towns surrounding Kisumu. Whenever she came to town for supplies or to pick up her mail, she would immediately be surrounded by groups of begging street boys.
They were dirty. They were hungry. Some of them were sick. Many of them were high from sniffing glue. All were desperate. And she knew in her heart she needed to do something to help them.
She began giving them small bags of peanuts to eat or pieces of soap so they could bathe in nearby Lake Victoria. As the number of boys flocking to meet her grew, she began to meet with them in one of the town parks.
Alarmed by the prospect of as many as 80 to 100 street boys all gathering in one place at the same time, city officials told Darla she would have to end her meetings in the park…
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At that point she boldly asked the city to provide land where she could care for the boys. In the meantime, she rented a small house, hired a cook and a guard, and invited five boys to leave the streets and come live at what she called, “Agape.”
The city did donate land for the ministry and the local Kisumu Lions Club helped fund construction of the first dormitory building on campus. By 1995, there were 16 boys living at Agape in that single building.
Today, Agape has two campuses and employs a dedicated Kenyan staff of more than 128 teachers, house parents, guards, and administrative personnel. Two missionary couples oversee our operations, train and equip the staff, and help provide guidance and direction for the ministry.
To read more about Darla’s story, get a copy of her book, Agape’s Children, available in our shop.

Our founder, Darla Calhoun, in the early days of Agape
Our Story
Agape began in Kisumu, Kenya in 1993 as a response from the compassionate heart of our founder, Darla Calhoun, RN. Darla was working in community health in the villages and small towns surrounding Kisumu. Whenever she came to town for supplies or to pick up her mail, she would immediately be surrounded by groups of begging street boys.
They were dirty. They were hungry. Some of them were sick. Many of them were high from sniffing glue. All were desperate. And she knew in her heart she needed to do something to help them.
She began giving them small bags of peanuts to eat or pieces of soap so they could bathe in nearby Lake Victoria. As the number of boys flocking to meet her grew, she began to meet with them in one of the town parks.
Alarmed by the prospect of as many as 80 to 100 street boys all gathering in one place at the same time, city officials told Darla she would have to end her meetings in the park…
Accordion Close
READ MORE
At that point she boldly asked the city to provide land where she could care for the boys. In the meantime, she rented a small house, hired a cook and a guard, and invited five boys to leave the streets and come live at what she called, “Agape.”
The city did donate land for the ministry and the local Kisumu Lions Club helped fund construction of the first dormitory building on campus. By 1995, there were 16 boys living at Agape in that single building.
Today, Agape has two campuses and employs a dedicated Kenyan staff of more than 128 teachers, house parents, guards, and administrative personnel. Two missionary couples oversee our operations, train and equip the staff, and help provide guidance and direction for the ministry.
To read more about Darla’s story, get a copy of her book, Agape’s Children, available in our shop.
Our Values
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Our Statement of Faith
Central to Agape’s ministry are the core beliefs of our Christian faith. These are an integral part of what we are as an organization and of what we believe as individual members of the Agape family.
- We believe that the Bible in its entirety in the original writings is the inspired inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God. As such, we submit to it as the standard for our conduct.
- We believe in one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and our atonement through his shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His imminent personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ provides the only grounds for justification.
- We believe in the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose power the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, composed of all who are regenerated through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe in the reality of heaven, hell, and Satan, which gives urgency to Christ’s command to reach the world with the Gospel.
Our Mission Statement
Reconciling children to God and family through the Good News and transformative love of Christ.
We know of God’s love for us through Jesus Christ.
God's love transforms people
Children belong in family
Children are valued by God
Children need care and protection
Children need emotional and spiritual care
Children should realize their gifts and talents
Christians are responsible to help children
The Bible clearly details God’s heart for children, especially those who find themselves orphaned or separated from their families. Exhortations to seek just for the fatherless and to visit the orphan in their affliction are found in both the Old and New Testaments. All Christians have a calling to minister to the needs of at-risk children at home and around the world. Therefore, Agape does everything it can to make the world aware of the plight of street children and to communicate the magnitude and urgency of this global problem. We endeavor to enlist people to pray for street children. We seek people to support Agape with their finances. We encourage people to participate in short-term missions teams to see firsthand God’s work through Agape to minster to these precious children. We challenge people to consider whether the Lord might be calling them to become missionaries with Agape to minister personally to these children.
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Our Statement of Faith +
Central to Agape’s ministry are the core beliefs of our Christian faith. These are an integral part of what we are as an organization and of what we believe as individual members of the Agape family.
- We believe that the Bible in its entirety in the original writings is the inspired inerrant, infallible and authoritative Word of God. As such, we submit to it as the standard for our conduct.
- We believe in one God eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious death and our atonement through his shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His imminent personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ provides the only grounds for justification.
- We believe in the regenerating ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose power the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and eternal life.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, composed of all who are regenerated through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe in the reality of heaven, hell, and Satan, which gives urgency to Christ’s command to reach the world with the Gospel.
Our Mission Statement +
Reconciling children to God and family through the Good News and transformative love of Christ.
We know of God’s love for us through Jesus Christ +
God's love transforms people +
Children belong in family +
Children are valued by God +
Children need care and protection +
Children need emotional and spiritual care +
Children should realize their gifts and talents +
Christians are responsible to help children +

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Agape Leadership
Our Board of Directors and key ministry partners impart discerning leadership and organizational guidance to further the impact of family reunification, in Kenya and beyond.
Board of Directors

wesley corbitt
President and Executive Director

Darla Calhoun
Secretary and Founder

Jeff Alger
Treasurer

Dan Blackman
Vice President

Tyler Gibbs
Board Member

Dan Hamer
Board Member

Dan Blackman
Vice President

Tyler Gibbs
Board Member

Dan Hamer
Board Member
Our Staff
Without a doubt, one of Agape’s greatest strengths is the 160+ Kenyan nationals and full-time missionaries who make up our staff. These men and women work tirelessly to welcome rescued street children, lead them to Jesus, care for them, teach them, encourage them, and eventually get them home. Meet some of our key staff leaders below.

Winfred Otieno
Director Agape Kisumu

Keziah Onokah
Deputy Director

Calvin Obuya
Admin Manager

VICTOR OKWEMBA
Home Manager

Dixon Mahero
Rehabilitation Manager

ANNE OGAGA
Child Welfare Manager

Mary Achieng
Child Welfare Manager

Richard Omuok
Child Welfare Manager

LEBAUS ONYANGO
Child Welfare Manager

JOSEPH OKUMU
Director Agape Kitale

ROBERT NAMUSOLE
Deputy Director

Joshua Chebitwey
Admin Manager

Mohammed Khumwa
Home Manager

Clyde Sechele
Rehabilitation Manager

Sammy Lobolia
Child Welfare Manager

Judith Chepsigor
Child Welfare Manager

Ryan McIntire
Nakuru Director

WINNIE AWUOR
Deputy Director

Julius Sere
Admin Manager

Felix Chacha
Rehab and Home Manager

Felix Chacha
Rehab and Home Manager

GEORGE OMONDI
Director Admin Support Services

CHRIS AMUDAVI
HR Coordinator

JOHNSTONE ENDEKWA
Facilities + Logistics

Cheryl Insua
Special Projects

Cheryl Insua
Special Projects

Diana Hallett
Director Ops Support Services

Jacob Oduor
Child Welfare Coordinator

JOEL MUSEBE
Redeem Coordinator

RACHEAL INGADIMA
Counselling Coordinator

RACHEAL INGADIMA
Counselling Coordinator
Join us
Be a part of this amazing mission. We’re looking for like-minded, passionate missionaries who will join us at our newest campus in Kitale, Kenya.
If you’re a college junior or senior, consider a valuable internship in Kenya for two months. Read the job description and send us your internship application today.
Join us
Be a part of this amazing mission. We’re looking for like-minded, passionate missionaries who will join us at our newest campus in Kitale, Kenya.
If you’re a college junior or senior, consider a valuable internship in Kenya for two months. Read the job description and send us your internship application today.

We need you.
All this isn’t possible without your help! Here’s how you can be a part of change for vulnerable, desperate street children:
Donate
Your donations help reunite children with their families, extend the impact of our model across Kenya, and support our missionaries.
Join
Experience Agape by volunteering, going on a short-term missions trip, interning or applying as a long-term missionary.
advocate
Raise awareness in your church and community, join our network of prayer warriors or help champion our cause on social media!
Together, we can do so much more.
Over the past year, we’ve successfully reunited over 580 children with their families. But there’s so much more to do. We need your help to reach our 10-year goal of 10,000 families reunited. That’s 1000 families a year!
For as little as $1 a day, you can reunite kids on the street with their families AND help end child separation in Kenya and beyond.

Our Campuses
Our two campuses support our mission to rescue, redeem, and rehabilitate vulnerable and at-risk children by providing the space and facilities necessary for us to implement the Agape model. Our primary priority has always been to teach these hurting children that their true hope lies only in the REDEEMING love of Jesus.
Through our four-week transition class, daily devotions, weekly worship services, and a staff who values discipleship, children find forgiveness for their pasts and hope for their futures. Our discipleship program focuses on Godly character traits and boys are challenged to not just make a “decision” for Christ, but to lead lives that bring Him glory and honor.
Our counseling team takes each child through a process of dealing with their past traumas and determining the factors that led to their life on the streets. Classes in anger management, spiritual warfare, and discipleship encourage children to face issues in their lives while giving them tools that they can use throughout their lifetime.

Kisumu Campus
Our 1.5 acre campus houses two dorms with a capacity for 54 boys and 30 girls, allowing us to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate over 450 children per year.

Kitale Campus
Our second reunification campus opened in July 2018 and currently houses two dorms with a capacity of 30 boys and 14 girls, allowing us to successfully rehabilitate and reintegrate over 300 children per year.

NAKURU OFFICE
Our satellite social work office opened early this year and allows us to conduct direct reintegrations.
But Agape is not a long-term care program. We believe that the best place for children to be is with their families in their home communities. We seek to reintegrate a child back to their home as soon as we possibly can. We visit each child’s home to determine the truth that led to the child leaving and work to counsel and encourage families in their role as providers for their children.
Our staff also continue to share the word of God with the family, the lasting effect of which is often an entirely transformed family!
Agape and its amazing staff and comprehensive systems of reintegration [are] nothing short of a miracle from God.
Dan Hamer
overlake christian church, redmond WA
Agape and its amazing staff and comprehensive systems of reintegration [are] nothing short of a miracle from God.