Dear Friends,
We are deeply saddened by the news that our dear friend and co-worker, Jade Kenyamanyara, passed away in Nairobi, Kenya, on November 30, 2020.
Jade suffered an acute stroke in Tanzania on November 24th and was airlifted to Nairobi, Kenya, for a higher level of care. Despite several medical interventions, and prayers going up around the globe, Jade had a subsequent stroke and continued to decline. She is now in the eternal presence of our heavenly Father, whom she loved and served.
Jade’s husband Julius has been by her side in Nairobi this week, surrounded by family, friends, and Canadian colleagues. Their three boys, Ezra, Gabriel, and Josiah, have been in the care of friends and colleagues in Mwanza, Tanzania. Julius is returning to Mwanza, where he will join his boys and bring them to Kenya.
Julius is the Director and Jade served as the Administrator of VOH Mwanza, providing vision and leadership as PAOC Global Workers to the day to day running of three VOH Centers and a VOH Mwanza ChildCARE Plus extension program. VOH Mwanza cares for almost 1000 vulnerable children each day in the Lake Victoria Region of Tanzania. Jade was a beloved member of our VOH Africa family, and she will be greatly missed by all.
Our thoughts, support, and prayers are with Julius and their three boys, Ezra, Gabriel, Josiah; their immediate and extended family; members of their VOH and PAOC family; and all who knew and loved Jade.
In times likes these, we are reminded in scripture,
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
John 14:1-4.
Jade was deeply committed to living out her faith and showing God’s love to the children of Tanzania. As we celebrate Jade’s life, we know the seeds she has sown will continue to grow and bear good fruit.
Warmest Regards,
Sergio Bersaglio
Executive Director, VOH Africa