Cheri Thompson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from University of Missouri in 1971. Her first trip to Africa was also in 1971. After teaching several years in the U.S. she went to Uganda and taught there for one year. This began her love for the African people. In 1987 along with her husband, Rick Thompson and three children, she went to Kenya. She taught at Rosslyn Academy for two years and then in 1992 began teaching street children to read. Her interest in literacy eventually leads to the Light and Power Center in the slums of Nairobi. Today this center is lead by former street kids and sponsored by crafts they learned to make while attending the program. 

In 1999, after adopting two Kenyan orphans, she and her husband moved to Kitale, Kenya. Starting with literacy and soccer clubs, the program expanded to a drop in center where over 50 street kids came for hot meals, medical care, and life skills. In 2000, they bought a ten acre farm. Before it could be developed Cheri’s husband Rick was diagnosed with cancer and died ten months later. Challenge Farm was opened January 2003. Currently 102 ex-street children reside at the farm. In addition to the care of these 102 children, Challenge Farm works with young mothers and their babies who still live on the streets and women in Kipsongo, a slum in Kitale. Cheri and her two adopted children, Alex and Rachel, divide their time between Kitale, Kenya and North Carolina, where she is beginning her master’s program in counseling. Cheri also has three adult children and six grandchildren.

Contact Us - 336.692.4097 or challengekenya@yahoo.com