Gifting hope

For the Parrotts, giving back isn’t just a holiday tradition. It isn’t something that they think about when they have extra time or resources. They have been giving back consistently since 2011 by supporting a young boy in an orphanage in Africa through the program Oasis for Orphans. 

“Oasis for Orphans is so much more than just an orphanage,” said Kristy Parrott, the family’s mother. “Rather than trying to change the slums [in Kenya], they looked beyond that to see how they could prevent these children from ending up in the slum in the first place.” 

Parrott and her family support a boy named Emmanuel on a monthly basis through donations that provide him with daily needs such as health care, meals, a bed, a home and someone to talk to. 

“We write and receive letters from him and have had a few calls and Skype calls over the years,” Parrott said. The family also sends Emmanuel small gifts. Although the orphanage was unsure of his true birthdate, they guessed he was about 11 at the time the Parrotts began sponsoring him.

The connection Oasis for Orphans has provided is so distinct and so real, the Parrotts opted to go to Africa to meet Emmanuel in 2012. 

Upon reaching the orphanage, Parrott warned her children to be respectful of Emmanuel and that he may be shy. But she said all her words went out the window when she saw him for the first time. 

“When I saw that precious boy face-to-face, I just grabbed him and hugged him so tight,” she said. She, her husband and three children spent the next few days in the orphanage’s guesthouse, helping with projects and playing with the other children. Emmanuel showed them where he came from, too. 

“It was heartbreaking and wonderful at the same time,” Parrott said.  

Because of their experiences with the program, the Parrotts have led another local family, the Colvins, to participate in the program.

“Our small contribution helps with the education of one orphan boy named Peter,” Betsy Colvin said. 

This year, to raise additional money for Oasis for Orphans, the Parrotts also will be participating in a worldwide fundraiser. 

“For several years, there has been a Team Oasis that has raised money by running in the Chicago Marathon. This year, they are expanding to include this event, Race for the 110,000, which is a virtual 5K,” Parrott said. 

The number 110,000 comes from the estimated nearby children in Kenya who have no one to care for them and who Oasis for Orphans is trying to reach. 

Because the Nov. 5 race is virtual, participants can donate and run, walk or cycle anywhere and share a photo to show their support. The Parrotts will be hosting their own 5K, but they are encouraging everyone to register online for $35 and run together on that Saturday in support of the program.

“By registering for this race and walking, running or cycling a 5K on Saturday, Nov. 5, you are giving the kids in Kenya a voice,” she said. 

To learn more, or to register for the virtual 5K, go to oasisfororphans.org.