About us

What do a visionary educator, an empathetic reverend and pastor, a dedicated mom, a driven law enforcement officer, and a passionate student have in common?  

A strong desire to serve and improve the lives of small children in Africa, and build for them, the hope of a better future.     

A chance meeting in Nairobi, between Thomas Giacomendo, a law enforcement officer training the Kenyan police, Paul Haduk, an eager student, and Father Chris, a member of the city’s clergy who has been serving local communities of Nairobi, initiated a long-time collaboration to support local children. 

They were soon joined by Bob Casper, a teacher who had the experience of several Mission trips near Nairobi, and his wife, Helen who has since taken over as the de-facto SOAR mom, nurturing and caring for  women and our children. In fact, Bob quit his day job to fully dedicate himself to this cause.    

This partnership gave birth to the School of Angels, built on Father Chris’ ancestral land. This institution then merged with MATT 28 Children's Family to form Soar Africa. We all shared the same burning desire - to uplift children from their tough circumstances, and prepare for a better future.  

Today, SOAR is growing with your help, and aiding local communities by:

• Building schools and residences for 300 – 400 children on each site
• Growing food & raising livestock to become self-sustaining 
• Providing residence opportunities for vulnerable children in a strong familial culture and atmosphere
• A rigorous education to help children thrive in the global workforce tomorrow
• Teaching Leadership & Teamwork learning in classrooms & through the arts, clubs & sports 
• Building a Global Technology Centre to communicate with other homes & vulnerable children around the world
• Making medical facilities available for children & pregnant women in the community 
• Developing Exit Plans to monitor each child for at least 4 years to combat the evils of trafficking
• Keeping children safely connected with relatives, communities and/or tribes 

We started small with our base in Nairobi, but our initiatives took us all across the country, enabling children to escape the chokehold of poverty, trafficking, and disease. By helping children, we ease the burden of the community as well, and help usher in a future of hope and opportunity.