Passage to Kenya

For Paige Haddick, saying “yes” to a mission trip to Kenya wasn’t on her radar. As a full-time student working part-time at a law firm, she didn’t think she had the time, money, or margin. But when a friend at Eastside hugged her in the hallway and said, “You’re coming with us to Kenya, right?” — she found herself saying, “Yes.” Little did she know that “yes” would become a turning point in her faith, her career dreams, and her sponsorship journey.

Paige had already been sponsoring a young girl named Josephine through Eastside’s global partner in Nairobi. They’d never met in person — until now.

“Meeting Josephine was emotional. She’s so bright and full of dreams — she wants to be a pilot! I was amazed at her confidence and clarity at just 9 years old.”

In that moment, Paige’s belief in the impact of sponsorship shifted from head to heart. It became real. Tangible. Life-giving.

Later in the trip, the team traveled to Turkana — the most underserved region in Kenya — where many girls still carry water for miles each day, missing out on school entirely. With Paige’s help, the team dug a trench and laid a mile-long water line so girls could leave the role of water-bearers behind and step into the classroom.

“I kept thinking about Josephine. She’s in school because someone — me — chose to say yes. What if more girls like her had that chance?”

Paige also met Priscilla, a 12-year-old who was the only girl in her 8th grade class. Her father, a believer, had refused to marry her off early, choosing instead to prioritize her education. Paige knew this was rare — and powerful.

“I saw so much of Josephine in Priscilla. And I realized: I want to help create a world where girls everywhere can dream, learn, and lead.”

Now back home, Paige is more committed than ever to child sponsorship and to fighting for human rights. Her dream? To work on the Refugee Board of the United Nations — and be a voice for the vulnerable.