Bob and Jeanne Davidson’s Story

We were interested in some type of philanthropy that we could undertake now, while we were alive and able to see the results of our contribution rather than waiting for our estate to do it after we passed. And when we learned about the OLPS organization Roland was supporting, it was exactly what we were looking for. OLPS primarily helps destitute orphans in Kenya whose parents have died due to disease, warfare, violence or who simply abandoned them to live in the street. Some children are lucky enough to live with a single mother, but often these mothers are victims of domestic violence with no education and working two and three jobs (or no job at all) and unable to pay for the books, uniform and tuition required for their children to attend a quality school.

Such was the case for Florence, the child we sponsored thanks to Roland’s introduction, and whom we now refer to as our “adopted daughter.” The experience has been so rewarding for us that it is best described in some excerpts from the letters we have exchanged with her.  

Florence wrote us a letter, addressing us as “Mom Jeanne” and “Dad Bob” and said several times that she thanks God every day for bringing us into her life so we can help her get a good education and hopefully achieve her dream of going to college (which we will also fund for her) so she can make a contribution to the world. She said “I am doing my best every day in school and studying very hard so you will be proud of me.” Those last words brought tears to our eyes, knowing that as an orphan, she has no one else but us to “be proud of her” and to whom she can turn when she needs help, both financially or emotionally. We responded with our letter back to her saying that actually, it is we who thank God for bringing us a wonderful new daughter, especially since we don’t have children of our own. Now we do, we told her, and we feel truly blessed to have her. We wrote, “If we had our choice of picking someone to be our daughter, it would have been you, Florence!” We assured her that we will be here for her just like any parent would for their child, and she can count on us for whatever she needs in life–one that is now on track to be highly successful. This experience is one we will always cherish.