In each and every person in this world, the “Imago Dei”, or Image of God exists. As fallen people, we obviously, at times, distort that perfect image which God has given us. Unfortunately, poverty carries it a step further. We often discuss how extreme poverty can steal the “humanity” from individuals. I believe it does more than that. Extreme poverty has the potential to severely tarnish the Image of God in individuals. In his book, God of the Empty Handed, Jayakumar Christian states, “Powerlessness is a spiritual disease. The scars of powerlessness can be seen on the will and identity of the poor. Principalities and powers play a crucial role in intensifying the powerlessness imposed by society on the poor by reinforcing the oppression and internalizing it within poor communities and cultures.” (Christian, 153-154) There is a trap in poverty that can potentially lead an individual to believe they are powerless, worthless and insignificant. This could not be further from the truth, but when that is constantly being reinforced through societal action, it is understandable.“Being in the image of God is not a religious overlay on our natural humanity. On the contrary, being in the image of God is itself fundamental to our true humanity.” (Ray Anderson 1982, 84) Because of this, poor or rich, just by being born, all inherit the image of God. While conceptually, it is an amazing gift and wonderful identity, a society marred by greed, oppression and evil, attempts to steal away an individual’s knowledge that they are made in God’s image, and are somehow of lesser importance or value. The beauty of the Gospel message is that because we are made in God’s image, we are required to respond, poor and rich, to these injustices. In connection to Romans 8, Jayakumar Christian states,

“An important piece in the kingdom’s effort to clarify identity is the role of hope. Paul in Romans 8 describes this hope as the desire of all creation (v. 20). Hope is the response of the kingdom to the groaning of all creation (vv. 22, 23). This hope is redemptive and affects the whole of life (v. 23), including the body. The link between identity and hope is crucial while addressing realities of the powerless. The powers within poverty relationships often mar the identity of the poor in the workshop called hopelessness.” (Christian, 196)

As we work together with the community at eduKenya, this is one of the things we are focusing on – allowing God to use us and those around us, to break the cycle of poverty and repair the tarnished image that leads to powerlessness and hopelessness. We are doing this through mentorship, education, skill training and home based care. Our desire is to empower and give an opportunity to people who have been told directly or indirectly that they are just a number and worthless. We are seeing that confidence grow in people and definitely see that confidence every day in the children at the school. The various opportunities that are provided reminds people that God loves them, and that His image exists in them as they begin to realize their talents and potential.The Children of Peace Movement that our school has recently initiated in Mathare is an amazing example of restoring the image of God in the community. The children have been urging the community, through peace walks, to pursue peace as the upcoming elections approach. This is not a powerless group of students who have no hope. God is moving in these children, and they are very aware that His image exists in them, and are therefore using their talents and their voices to oppose what poverty would otherwise encourage. Restoring the tarnished image begins by reminding people that they matter, that they are loved by God, and in that love are given a reason and opportunity to hope.