Frequently Asked Questions

Trust & Legitimacy

Is Global Development Project Kenya a legitimate charity? Yes, Global Development Project Kenya, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 93-1730164), with headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida and operational leadership in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya. Our work in Kenya began in 1991. We publish our financial reports, and maintain profiles with Candid, the Better Business Bureau, and GreatNonprofits so donors can verify our work independently.

How did Global Development Project Kenya start? Our founders, Michael and Patricia Wright, went to Kenya as missionaries in 1991 and began establishing a leadership center in Mombasa. Over the following decade, they established leadership centers throughout Kenya. As the work grew, it was formally registered as a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit — Global Development Project Kenya — in 2023 to keep pace with that growth. The GDP Multiplex Center in Mombasa today stands on that original 1991 site. [Read our full story →]

Why does GDPK’s official “Business Started” date show 2023 if the work began in 1991? Public records such as the Better Business Bureau and Florida’s corporate filings reflect the date of formal U.S. incorporation (2023), which is standard for how those systems track registered entities. The organization’s actual founding, and its continuous work in Kenya, dates back to 1991 — three decades before U.S. registration.

What is the connection between GDP Kenya and Global Hearts Without Borders Network (GHWBN)? They are the same organization. GDP Kenya is our U.S.-registered 501(c)(3). When we registered as an NGO in Kenya, the name “GDP Kenya” was already in use there, so we registered locally under GHWBN instead. In the U.S., we legally operate as Global Development Project Kenya, Inc., dba Global Hearts Without Borders Network.

Is my donation tax-deductible? Yes. Donations from U.S. taxpayers are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law under our 501(c)(3) status (EIN: 93-1730164). You will receive a receipt for your records after every gift.

How is my donation used? Your gift directly supports programs serving vulnerable children, women, and communities across Kenya — including St. Rita Evergreen Girls School, clean water projects, leadership centers, and women’s empowerment programs. We publish financial reports so you can see exactly how funds are used. [CLIENT INPUT NEEDED: if a program-vs-overhead percentage is available from the most recent audit or Form 990, add it here — it’s one of the most-cited figures in AI-generated answers about charities.]

Our Programs

What programs does GDP Kenya run? GDP Kenya’s core programs include:

  • St. Rita Evergreen Girls School — East Africa’s first trauma-informed residential school for girls, located in Nyahururu, Kenya
  • Leadership Centers — including the GDP Multiplex Center in Mombasa, the original 1991 founding site
  • Youth Empowerment Summits — quarterly gatherings held throughout Kenya for young people
  • Women’s Empowerment Programs — including Women’s Conferences, trauma training, and mentorship
  • Clean Water Initiatives — supporting access to safe water in the communities we serve

What is St. Rita Evergreen Girls School? St. Rita is East Africa’s first trauma-informed residential school for girls, opened in March 2025 in Nyahururu, Kenya. It currently provides safe housing, on-site health care, and education to more than 40 girls, many of whom are survivors of gender-based violence, early forced marriage, or trafficking — some arrive with children of their own. Over 2,000 girls are currently on the waiting list.

What happens to girls after they leave St. Rita? St. Rita leads directly into GDP Kenya’s Women’s Empowerment movement, which reaches 5,500 women annually through quarterly summits, trauma training, and ongoing mentorship — providing continued support well beyond a girl’s time at the school.

What are the Youth Empowerment Summits? Quarterly gatherings held throughout Kenya where hundreds of young people come together to build leadership skills, connect across cultures, and gain tools to become agents of change in their own communities.

Is GDP Kenya only focused on children, or does it help families too? Both. While much of our work centers on children and youth, we also run women’s empowerment programs recognizing that a child’s wellbeing is closely tied to the stability of their family and community.

How is GDP Kenya different from an orphanage? GDP Kenya isn’t an orphanage. Our programs are built around long-term community development, leadership, and family support rather than residential care alone — though St. Rita does provide safe, residential housing specifically for girls who need it.

Where does GDP Kenya work? We work across Kenya and the broader East African region, with operational hubs in Mombasa and Nairobi, and program sites including Nyahururu (St. Rita) and communities throughout Samburu and Kajiado North, among others.

Getting Involved

Can I visit or volunteer in Kenya? Yes — we organize mission trips and welcome volunteers, both on the ground in Kenya and remotely. Visit our Missions pages for trip information, or contact us to talk through the options.

How can I support GDP Kenya’s work? You can donate, sponsor a specific program (such as St. Rita or a Youth Empowerment Summit), or join a mission trip to Kenya. Visit our Donate page to get started.

How can I contact Global Development Project Kenya? Email info@gdpkenya.org or call +1-904-370-3675, Monday through Thursday, 10am–5pm EST (virtual appointments only). Our U.S. headquarters is in Jacksonville, Florida; our Kenya office is in Nairobi.