GRACELAND AFRICA MISSION

Our Story

Kawangware slum, Nairobi, Kenya 2005

Graceland Africa Mission began in 2005. We were motivated to facilitate change and bring hope to Kenyans suffering under the relentless oppression of poverty. Our goal was to provide not only financial support, but more importantly, leadership, training, and education.

Graceland Africa Mission’s goals and objectives have been modified since we first began in Kenya in 2005. Our extensive experience on the ground has helped us to increase our understanding of life in Kenya in urban and rural locations; from Mwingi on the edge of the eastern corridor, to Amagoro on the western boarder with Uganda.

Our desire then is our desire now. We want to help Kenyans help themselves. We are not in Kenya to implement our programs, but rather we are there to partner with Kenyans and assist them as they implement their own solutions to the problems that they face.  

We believe in respectful partnerships that are based on transparency, trust, reliability, and accountability. Together with our Kenyan and Canadian partners, we have assisted thousands of Kenyans as they work to upgrade their standard of living!

Diane Laakso, Founder and President, Graceland Africa Mission

Photo above is of Laurel, Heather and Holly Laakso

  • 2005-2009

    Celebrated Christmas 2004, with children at a children’s home in western Kenya. Met children from in a children’s home in Nairobi, Kenya. Purchased land and a building for school and children’s home. Built school and provided scholarships for students.

  • 2010-2014

    Shiped a 40’ container (hospital beds, medical supplies, school desks, shoes, tools). Launched One for One - Children’s Scholarship and Community Grant Program in western Kenya. Launched Water Harvesting Program in eastern Kenya. Network with a number of Kenyan organizations.

  • 2015-2019

    Launched Right to Be, scholarship program for girls in secondary school. Initiated capacity building with students’ families through animal husbandry, organic farming, and community gardens. Water To promote sustainability, the Harvesting Program purchased a truck to deliver and sell 10,000 litres of water in remote villages.

  • 2020-2024

    GAM has 10 primary school students, 14 students in secondary school, 16 in college or university, and 12 graduates. Capacity building initiatives for parents, often single moms, is focused on retail business start-ups. GAM provided relief for all families of scholarship students during the pandemic, 2020.

In the last 19 years,  GAM has invested $1,325,600 in Kenya!

In addition to humanitarian aid, mentorship, and countless hours of volunteer labour.

2005-2023

Reflections on Graceland Africa Mission

I remember when the Laakso family was first led to Kenya, knowing that they had to help, but not knowing how or where. From their fledgling beginnings in 2005, they were very hands on and had a commitment to put every dollar that they could into whatever project the Lord led them to. They selflessly gave of their time, money and energy because they could see that the need was so great – if they could change even just one life, it would be worth it.

Trip after trip to Kenya would be accompanied with hockey bags full of tangible support for children in need. Right away I could see that Graceland Africa Mission was a charity that I could get behind. Eventually hockey bags gave way to a container, and the container to Scholarships and Water Harvesting and an expanded list of Partners who have joined in the vision. Never mind changing one life, they are changing villages, helping Kenyans to help themselves.

To this day Graceland Africa Mission reports that it does not retain any paid employees in Canada and that over 95% of their spending has gone directly into programs in Kenya. George Washington Carver said that Education is the key to unlocking the golden door of freedom. I would add that, in this day and age, the door cannot be fully opened without development and quality post- secondary education as well. For many, Graceland Africa Mission provides the financial and personal support to get that key.

Norma Fisher, Buckhorn, ON 2021