Mary’s Story

In the extremely poor village of Kijabe, Kenya, there lives a crippled widow named Mary. After her husband died of AIDS a few years ago, she struggled to find food.

While she suffers from HIV, too, Mary’s greatest challenge is a nerve problem in her legs. She has to use crutches to walk and can’t move very far. Most of the day, the pain keeps her seated, so she spends hours reading her Bible while her children are at school.

Mary’s two young children, Robert and Elizabeth, were getting a meal every day through Forward Edge’s feeding program at the local primary school. Every once in a while, there were enough leftovers to bring some home for Mary. 

Most days, though, Mary went hungry. She had become stick thin and constantly worried where she’d find her next meal.

Then came the pandemic. Quarantine measures forced our program to pivot from its normal food service at schools to delivering food packages to homes. That’s how we discovered Mary. God used the pandemic to bring us to her.

Immediately, our staff made sure Mary had consistent, nutritious meals. In time, they were even able to build the family a new home and buy Mary a new stove.

Today, months later, Mary’s anxiety is gone. She’s much healthier, has regained lost weight, and is happy again. She even has the strength to go sit outside her home and bask in the sun.

God reached out to Mary with His tangible love not just in spite of this horrible pandemic, but through it. A sweet reminder that no matter what hardships you face, God will work through them.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
-Romans 8:28

child discipleship

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forward edge

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disaster recovery

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Bringing Hope

Elvin’s Journey of Hope

“Every Saturday, my heart was filled with joy,” says Elvin, reflecting on the love and care he found at Cornerstone Kosova. Growing up in the harsh realities of Kosova, Elvin once faced a life full of hardship. But through the community’s love and the teachings of Jesus, his life was transformed. Now 15, Elvin’s journey of hope continues, and he’s sharing that same love with others.

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Transform a Child's Life Through Sponsorship

Miredita (hello), my name is Lior

  • location

    Kosova

  • 9 yrs. old

    09-01-2016

Entered the program: October 2025

Lior lives with his parents, little sister, and grandmother in an apartment block. Lior’s family is very poor. His father’s family has been very affected by the Kosova war; they lost many members. Lior’s father only has 20% vision in one eye, even after many surgeries, and struggles to find work. He also suffers with PTSD. His mother stays home to care for the family.

Lior has a medical condition called Chorea Minor which causes involuntary muscle spasms in the arms, legs and face. It is associated with autoimmune disorders or Rheumatic fever; he is on medication to help control it.

Sponsorship Level What's this?

Three $38 sponsorships are needed to cover the complete holistic care of one child. Cover one, two, or three sponsorships.