Sofia Oudri (senior, exercise science and Spanish translation) is a student missionary currently serving in Sekenani, Kenya, in the Olmalaika Trust, a home for girls. In the Trust, Sofia and other staff members are currently taking care of nine babies and eight girls who have been abandoned, mistreated or abused.
“The work I do is to support the Trust’s mission in giving them all a home until they have one that’s safe to return to,” shared Sofia.
While the older girls attend school, Sofia helps at the nursery by changing, playing with and feeding the babies. When she isn’t at the nursery, she helps at the Days for Girls sewing tent in which they sew together reusable menstrual products that they sell to support themselves. As soon as the girls come back from school, her afternoons consist of helping the girls with their homework, preparing the worship activities with the other student missionaries and, on the weekends, playing soccer. On top of that, on Sunday, she teaches ukulele, guitar and piano.
“Although my days are very full,” Sofia said, “they are very fulfilling.”
Besides the busy work she does throughout the week, she has also had the opportunity to do less intensive activities with her fellow missionaries. On Tuesdays, they go shopping together for food supplies because they cook for themselves. They have also made day trips to the town nearby and visited the Maasai Mara, a large national game reserve with a large diversity of wildlife that is right next to where they are staying.
Even though it has only been a little over a month of serving in Kenya, Sofia has already learned so many new things and has been extremely blessed.
“Getting to help [the babies] learn how to walk and crawl, and making them feel loved, is so fulfilling,” she said.
Through this experience, she has learned what true motherly love looks like. Her favorite moments by far have been her interactions with the girls. They are constantly making her laugh, teaching her Maasai dances and songs, and playing and talking with her.
“I can see that they love being loved, and I’m so happy they experience nothing but that here at the Trust,” shared Sofia.
Another big highlight has been the student missionary-led spiritual activities. Upon arrival, she and the other student missionaries tweaked the worship programs to better fit the needs of the girls. Along with a group of singers, she plays the guitar for every worship, and they sing songs full of gestures and actions, making it a more fun and interactive experience for the girls.
“It’s been great seeing them interact more with the spiritual programs by having lessons that are more engaging for them,” Sofia added.
Additionally, on Friday vespers and Saturday afternoons, they organize plays, which the girls love.
“Most of all,” Sofia said, “the highlight of this ministry is making sure these girls and babies feel the love and safety that they deserve!”
Sofia’s story is just one of many amazing student missionary stories, and it has only just begun! If you are interested in being a short-term or long-term student missionary, please reach out to the Center of Faith and Engagement located in the student center and also on their Instagram page and! If there’s one choice you’ll never regret making, it’s the choice to go out and serve.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.