First Giving Machines in Africa Open in Nairobi, Kenya

Since Light the World Giving Machines were first introduced for the 2017 Christmas season, thousands of donations have been made through charitable organizations in Africa. One of those charitable organizations, Church World Service, has fulfilled donations to 25,000 recipients of chickens, goats, beehives and more. These donations have been life changing for people. Giving Machines throughout the world have featured donatable items bound for Africa, but no Giving Machines were in Africa.

On Saturday, November 30, 2024, Giving Machines were introduced to the African continent for the first time. The Giving Machines were unveiled at a launch event at host mall Sarit in Nairobi, Kenya. In bringing Giving Machines to Nairobi, the Area Presidency of the Africa Central Area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wanted to create the opportunity for Africans to give to Africans. To that end, three Giving Machines are at Sarit, the busiest mall in East Africa with over 25,000 mall patrons per day. 

The grand opening of the Giving Machines took place Saturday, November 30, 2024 at Sarit. At precisely 11:50 a.m., 10 choirs located throughout the four levels of Sarit began singing What Child Is This. The ten choirs walked toward the Giving Machines on floor one of the mall, carolling all the way. The choirs converged at the Giving Machines, forming a 177 member choir with singers from around Nairobi, including 13 from West Pokot County in Kenya. The West Pokot choir members traveled 12 hours by bus to come to the grand opening. All from West Pokot are past beneficiaries of the generosity of people through Giving Machines.  The large and beautiful choir performed four more numbers during the grand opening ceremony.

The event was conducted by Denis Mukasa, president of the Nairobi East Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and included remarks by Mr. Sarit Shah, owner and CEO of Sarit. Mr. Shah has generously donated prime retail space for the Giving Machines. 

President Mukasa gave an overview of the six NGOs (charities) that are featured in the Kenya Giving Machines. Kenya Red Cross, UNICEF, Uthabiti Africa, Clean Up Kenya, Church World Service and Caritas Kenya will fulfill the items donated by generous Kenyans through the Giving Machines. All of the donations will lift and change lives in East Africa. 

In his remarks, Mr. Sarit Shah said, “Today marks a monumental milestone in Sarit’s journey — one that resonates deeply with our core values of compassion, service and community. It is my great honour to introduce the Light the World Giving Machines, making their African debut right here at Sarit. In collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Giving Machines represent something truly extraordinary. They offer each of us a simple, yet profound way to give back — whether it’s through providing farming animals, food, clothing, educational supplies, or medical aid to those in need. Starting today, November 30, 2024, until January 15, 2025, we invite everyone to participate in this unique experience. What better time to reflect on the power of giving than during this season of joy, compassion, and community?”

After the unveiling of the Giving Machines, the first donation was made by Elder Christophe and Sister Isabelle Giraud-Carrier. Elder Giraud-Carrier is Second Counselor in the Africa Central Area Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Participants in the grand opening then lined up to be among the first to give impactfully through Giving Machines in Africa.