VACATION BIBLE STUDY 2026 REPORT
WONDERS OF HOPE CENTRE CHURCH
KIBERA, NAIROBI, KENYA
by Pastor Martin Mwaniki
Theme: I WAS MADE TO SHINE
Scripture: Matthew 5:14
Dates: 18th to 21st August 2026
Venue: Wonders of Hope Centre, Kibera
For VBS pictures: DAY ONE and DAY THREE
INTRODUCTION
From 18th to 21st August 2026, Wonders of Hope Centre Church hosted our second annual Vacation Bible Study, following our first VBS held in 2025. This year's VBS was built around a simple but deeply important message: "I WAS MADE TO SHINE."
The four-day programme brought together children and teenagers from Kibera for a season of Bible teaching, worship, fun, learning, food, friendship and personal development. We entered the week with faith and preparation, but the number of children who came exceeded our expectations by a significant margin. Each day, we hosted more than 200 children. By Day Two, attendance had grown to approximately 280 children. By Day Three and Day Four, well over 300 children were attending. The response showed us the depth of the need among children in our community and the importance of creating safe spaces where children are taught that their lives matter and their future has value.
THE HEART BEHIND THE VBS
The VBS was designed with the children of Kibera in mind. Many of the children we serve live in difficult economic circumstances, with families surviving on less than one dollar a day. Our desire was to communicate a message stronger than their circumstances.
We wanted every child to understand:
"You matter."
"God created you intentionally."
"You were made for greatness."
"You were made to shine."
We wanted the children to understand that their circumstances do not define their identity or determine their future. Our message was rooted in the belief that every child is God's original work. They are not forgotten. They are not accidents. They are not afterthoughts. They are God's workmanship, created with purpose and designed to do good works.
THE 2026 THEME, “I WAS MADE TO SHINE”
Our theme was drawn from Matthew 5:14. Matthew 5:14 says: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." The scripture formed the foundation of the entire VBS. We taught the children that God has placed something valuable inside every one of them. We encouraged them to see themselves through God's eyes. The message was simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough to shape how they see themselves for years to come. The children were encouraged to believe that they were made to shine at home, at school, among their friends and within their community.
KNOWING WHO YOU ARE
One of the key lessons throughout the VBS was identity.
We taught the children from Ephesians 2:10: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
This scripture helped the children understand where their identity begins. They are God's workmanship. Their value does not begin with their family background, financial situation, academic performance or social status. Their value begins with God. We wanted every child to leave the VBS knowing:
"I am God's workmanship."
"I was created for a purpose."
"My life has value."
"God has good works for me to do."
MADE TO DO GOOD WORKS
We also taught the children about responsibility. Being made to shine is not only about knowing who you are. It is also about allowing your life to make a positive difference. Matthew 5:16 says: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
We encouraged the children to allow their lives to demonstrate good works. We taught them that their light shines when they:
• Help others.
• Show kindness.
• Tell the truth.
• Respect their parents and guardians.
• Work hard at school.
• Care for other children.
• Serve their community.
• Use their gifts positively.
• Make choices that honour God.
Our prayer is that the lessons taught during VBS will continue to influence how these children live long after the four days are over.
ATTENDANCE AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE
The attendance was one of the greatest highlights of the 2026 VBS. Our initial preparations were based on our experience from the previous year. We were grateful for the children who came, but we were not prepared for the level of growth experienced this year.
Attendance developed as follows:
Day One: Over 200 children.
Day Two: Approximately 280 children.
Day Three: Well over 300 children.
Day Four: Well over 300 children.
The increasing numbers demonstrated the growing interest in the programme and the trust families have placed in Wonders of Hope Centre. The numbers also reminded us that our planning and resources must continue to grow alongside the demand within the community.
THE MADE TO SHINE HIGH FASHION WALK
We culminated the VBS with the MADE TO SHINE HIGH FASHION WALK. The fashion walk featured 15 participants, including both children and teenagers. The event was designed to give the participants an opportunity to express confidence, creativity and individuality in a safe and positive environment. We were privileged to receive the support of a professional fashion director who helped guide the participants and bring structure and excellence to the event.
The fashion walk became more than a presentation. It became another opportunity to communicate the message of the VBS. These children were given a platform to stand before others, express themselves and receive affirmation. The event concluded with the crowning of: MR. WONDERS 2026/27 and MISS WONDERS 2026/27. The crowning was a memorable moment for the children, families, volunteers and everyone who supported the programme.
THE WONDER GIRLS
We are deeply grateful to Mama Sue and her Palatys Class. We affectionately call them our "Wonders Girls."Their support has played a significant role in making this work possible. The generosity and commitment behind this partnership have reached far beyond one VBS or one group of children. The impact is generational. Through your support, children are receiving opportunities to learn, grow, develop confidence and hear the message of God's love and purpose for their lives. We are deeply grateful.
A GENERATIONAL TESTIMONY
There is a testimony connected to this ministry which captures why this work matters so much to us. Years ago, I had the privilege of ministering to children in a slum school here in Kibera. Among the children I ministered to was one of my dearest sons in the faith, Eugene. At the time, Eugene was one of the children sitting and listening as we shared God's Word. Years later, Eugene is now our Youth Pastor.
He is no longer sitting among the children. He is standing in front of them. He is now touching many lives, especially the lives of children and young people. The child we once ministered to is now part of the team ministering to another generation.
This is what makes this work so meaningful. We are not only serving children for today. We are investing in people who will influence other people tomorrow. A child who hears the right message today might become the person who changes another child's life tomorrow. This is why we believe the work happening through Wonders of Hope is generational.
THE WORK OF THE TEAM
The success of this VBS was made possible through the commitment of an extraordinary team. The team worked tirelessly before, during and after the programme. As attendance increased, so did the demands on the team. Every day required coordination, teaching, registration, crowd management, children's activities, worship, food distribution, mentorship, supervision and pastoral care. The team served with commitment despite the unexpected increase in numbers.
We are grateful for every volunteer, leader, teacher, coordinator, youth worker, children's worker and support person who contributed to the success of the programme. Every contribution mattered.
THE IMPACT
The greatest measure of this VBS is not the number of children who attended. The greatest measure is the message planted in their hearts. We wanted children in Kibera to hear: "You were made to shine."
We wanted children facing economic hardship to know that poverty does not remove their God-given value. We wanted children who struggle with their identity to know who they are in Christ. We wanted children who feel overlooked to understand that God sees them. We wanted children to leave knowing they are God's workmanship. We wanted them to understand that their lives were created for good works. We wanted them to begin seeing themselves as people with purpose, potential and responsibility.
LESSONS FROM THE 2026 VBS
The 2026 VBS has also taught us several important lessons as a ministry. First, the need is greater than we anticipated. The increase from our first VBS in 2025 to more than 300 children during the final days of the 2026 VBS shows the growing demand for programmes serving children in Kibera.
Second, preparation must grow with the vision. Our numbers exceeded our expectations. Future programmes will require greater preparation in food, teaching materials, volunteers, child supervision, seating, equipment, registration and general logistics.
Third, children need spaces where they are affirmed. The response to the "I Was Made To Shine" message showed us how important positive identity formation is for children.
Fourth, investment in children produces long-term impact. The testimony of Eugene demonstrates how ministry to children today can produce leaders who serve future generations.
OUR GRATITUDE
We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who gave, served, prayed, encouraged and supported the 2026 Vacation Bible Study. Special appreciation goes to Mama Sue and the Palatys Class, whom we affectionately call our Wonders Girls. Your support has helped create experiences and opportunities for children who face difficult circumstances.
You have helped communicate a message of hope.
You have helped children hear God's Word.
You have helped children discover their value.
You have helped children believe that their future holds purpose.
We do not take your support for granted.
LOOKING AHEAD
The 2026 VBS has strengthened our conviction that the work among children in Kibera must continue. We want to build programmes that address the spiritual, emotional, educational, social and creative development of children. We want to continue creating environments where children are taught God's Word and encouraged to discover their gifts. We want to raise children who know who they are, understand their value and use their lives to serve others.
Our vision remains: RAISING WONDERS.
We want every child to hear and believe: "I WAS MADE TO SHINE."
FINAL WORD
The 2026 Vacation Bible Study was our second VBS. We began in 2025. In 2026, the response grew beyond what we had prepared for. More than 300 children gathered during the final days of the programme.
Behind every number was a child.
A child with a story.
A child with potential.
A child with dreams.
A child who needs someone to believe in them.
Our prayer is that the seeds planted during these four days will continue to grow.
We are deeply grateful to God for the privilege of serving children in Kibera. We are grateful for every person who stood with us. We are grateful for every volunteer who worked. We are grateful for every donor who gave. We are grateful for every parent who trusted us with their children. Most of all, we are grateful for the children. They reminded us why we do what we do.
They are God's workmanship. They were made for good works. They were made to shine.
I am absolutely grateful for your support, and I pray that God blesses you abundantly. What you have helped us do is bigger than one event.
It is generational.
