Rock of Ages Children's Home
How It Began
The Beginning
Rock of Ages Children’s Home was founded by Mrs. Dorcas Karimi in 2021 in Marurui, Kenya, born not from a carefully laid plan, but from a heart that could not look away from children in need. She had long been involved in community service and child welfare, but it was the devastating wave of the COVID-19 pandemic that became the turning point
As the pandemic tightened its grip on the community, the need for children’s care grew urgent. Families collapsed, children were left vulnerable, and the community struggled to cope. In the middle of this crisis, tragedy struck personally, her mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 and sadly passed away. Rather than stepping back, she stepped forward. With her mother gone and children around her having nowhere to turn, she became their only hope. She started Rock of Ages not because she had the funds or the resources, but because the need was greater than her fear.
The Name
She named it Rock of Ages rooted in her deep Christian faith. Having previously led a church community, the name carried profound meaning, a declaration that God is an unchanging foundation, a refuge in every storm. Just as the children needed a solid, unshakeable place to land, she wanted the home to be exactly that.
The Early Struggles
The early days were incredibly difficult. The number of children needing help was overwhelming, and the pandemic made everything harder. Community members were afraid, some refused to even host or help children for fear of infection. She bore the burden almost entirely alone. She turned to farming to provide food and clothing for the children, working the land with her own hands to keep them fed and clothed. She also faced significant backlash from parts of the community, but she pressed on regardless, sustained by her faith and her mission.