Established roots prepare Buckner Kenya for stronger future
Reflections from Dr. Albert Reyes, President and CEO, Buckner International
“Nina furaha na neema kubwa kushiriki na nyinyi hii sherehe ya miaka ishirini na tano ya Buckner Kenya.”
While my Swahili pronunciation was far from flawless, the crowd of 200 Buckner Kenya clients, employees and collaborators seemed to appreciate the effort. What I told them was, “I am very happy and blessed to share this celebration with you for 25 years of Buckner Kenya.”
I was one of a dozen speakers at the Buckner Kenya 25th anniversary event Feb. 6, 2026. We gathered under a large tent on the campus of Baptist Children’s Centre and Buckner Family Hope Center® in Nairobi and recounted not only the impact our programs made since 2001 but our vision to do even more.
The ceremony was joyous, from children performing elaborate dances and reciting poetry to pastors and government officials praising our collaborations over the years. It reminded me of Psalm 126:3 and the joy we feel when we reflect on the great work of the Lord.
Prior to the start of the program, the Buckner Kenya team invited me to plant a tree. In the moment, I focused on keeping dirt off my suit and not falling into the hole – but later that day, the significance of the act dawned on me.
Planting that sapling was a commitment to the community and to the future. It shows we have roots in Kenya, and it symbolizes our intent to be there to water and nurture the tree as it grows strong – in the same way we will continue to equip and empower families to grow strong.
That tree also serves as an intergenerational commitment of stewardship and sustainability to our successors. I hope that in 25 years, they are standing in the shade of that tree celebrating the 50th anniversary of Buckner Kenya.
Finally, the tree is also the embodiment of Jeremiah 17:7–8: “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”
Only later did I learn the tree I planted was a Meru oak, indigenous to Kenya. This made me smile because it was under an oak tree in Paris, Texas, in 1877 that Father Buckner collected the first $27 to start the Buckner Orphans Home. Our work in Kenya is like a well-planted tree. It requires patience and faith, but the result is beautiful and lasting – like God’s love for us when we trust in Him.
Learn more about Buckner Kenya and how you can continue to shine hope.
