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The Home of Hope Dream Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, where Enzo is staying. (Supplied)
FEAT. THE STORY OF BABY ENZO

Upcoming Super Bowl fundraiser will support local charity helping babies in Kenya

Jan 10, 2025 | 1:55 PM

Central Alberta residents are invited to a Super Bowl tailgate party this Feb. 9, in support of a local organization called Home of Hope.

The event starts at 3:30 p.m., with dinner at 3:45, and kickoff at 4:30, all at Home Church Red Deer (37557 Highway 2A).

Tickets are $30 in advance, or $35 at the door; that covers dinner and door prizes. The event is alcohol-free and intended for ages 12 and up only.

There will also be a silent auction, with proceeds supporting Home of Hope.

Brian Thomson, a Red Deer resident, started Home of Hope in 2006 after visiting Rwanda for a mission with his church.

Home of Hope began working in Rwanda before Thomson expanded its reach to Kenya in 2010 and Congo in 2012. In these locations, the charity runs Home of Hope Dream Centres, temporary homes that care for youth and infants who are found abandoned.

Once infants are found and begin recovery at the Dream Centre, Home of Hope tries to find local, loving families to home them with in coordination with local governments; their work is supported by sponsors.

Thomson said his charity has saved 600 babies in the last 12 years. He had the chance to see this work in action during a visit to Kenya in November 2024.

On said visit, a rescue worker found an infant in a small ditch near a quarry, cold and wrapped in dirty blankets. After a moment of panic at the news, Thomson asked the rescuers to meet him and his team.

“Margie, one of our rescue team members, took a brand new sleeper and a great big puffy blanket and was hugging him very tight, and the van was nice and warm,” Thomson shared.

Home of Hope founder and director Brian Thomson holds baby Enzo, accompanied by rescue team member Margie. (Supplied)

The baby, named Enzo, is now staying at the Nairobi Dream Centre, a Home of Hope care facility, until he is placed in a foster home.

“The foster worker will go to the house and make sure it’s a good house, then there’s a period of months where the child is bonding with their new foster parents. There’s a whole procedure that we follow with the Kenyan government,” Thomson explained.

Home of Hope is a registered charity and donations can be made online. Thomson also has a book, Meant 4 More, that shares the story of his inspiration for Home of Hope.