The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Is Bringing Giving Machines to Africa for the First Time

Since the first Giving Machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, were introduced in 2017, the big red vending machines have become a world- wide phenomenon.  During the 2023 Christmas season Giving Machines were located in 61 cities.  Giving Machines have provided people the opportunity to donate life changing items, many of which benefit Africans such as chickens, goats, seeds, and beehives.  In 2024, for the first time, Giving Machines will come to Africa, to Nairobi, the capitol city of Kenya.

On October 11, 2024 at the Royal Nairobi Golf Club, Giving Machines were introduced in Kenya.  An evening public and press event followed a Giving Machines benefit golf tournament.  76 golfers participated in the tournament which was hosted by Kenya Red Cross Chairman Lachland Pallan.  Isuzu of East Africa was a corporate sponsor of the event.

Over 100 people attended the Giving Machines introduction including multiple media personnel and representatives of host mall Sarit and of the six Kenya located NGO’s that will be featured in the Nairobi Giving Machines.  Elder George Munene, Area Seventy for Kenya of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, conducted the event.  He gave a brief overview of the history of Giving Machines and of how they can lift and change lives of many people who struggle in Africa.  He complimented Sarit which will generously host three Giving Machines on the first floor of the mall just outside the bowling alley.  He then turned the microphone over for an overview by a representative of each featured NGO and for comments from Sarit’s marketing director.

The Giving Machines featured NGO’s, through whom specific items can be purchased by the public for people in need, include:

• Kenya Red Cross: Provides emergency relief, health services, and disaster management through a network of volunteers across Kenya.
• UNICEF: Works globally to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them reach their potential through various programs.
• Uthabiti of Kenya: Focuses on improving childcare ecosystems in Africa through policy reform and resource mobilization.
• Clean Up Kenya: Advocates for sustainable public sanitation and tackles littering and illegal dumping through community initiatives.
• Church World Service (CWS): Provides sustainable development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance worldwide.
• Caritas of Kenya: Addresses poverty, disaster response, and food security through the Catholic Church’s humanitarian arm in Kenya.

In her greeting, Sarit Director of Marketing Keziah Kabutu said, “this initiative by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers an innovative and incredible way to give back to the community. By participating we can light the world with one donation at a time.”

Elder Munene emphasized the effectiveness of Giving Machines in ensuring that items donated at the Giving Machines go to those in need.  He said, “One hundred percent of every donation is given to the participating nonprofit organizations to purchase and deliver the donated items. This happens because The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pays for all Giving Machine operating costs including credit/debit card and MPESA fees.”

Giving Machines will launch at noon on November 30, 2024 at Sarit.  Visitors to Sarit can donate beneficial items through Giving Machines every day from November 30 through January 15, 2025.