Empowering and transforming lives across East Africa since 2015
Heartbeat Africa is a Christian charity committed to embodying the practical love of Christ through its outreach to those in need, with a dedicated focus on East Africa.
Central to Heartbeat Africa's mission is the belief in empowerment and the transformative power of faith, hope and love. The charity's efforts are directed towards those who are often forgotten or rejected by society.
By addressing both immediate needs and focusing on long-term empowerment, Heartbeat Africa seeks to provide resources, humanitarian support, education, and opportunities with the aim of building stronger communities and helping individuals achieve self-sufficiency.
The charity’s work is deeply rooted in Christian values, emphasizing compassion and service, and is driven by the desire to see each person living with dignity and hope, reflecting its core mission of transforming lives through a variety of programmes and initiatives.
Heartbeat Africa is a Christian charity committed to embodying the practical love of Christ through its outreach to those in need, with a dedicated focus on East Africa.
Our vision and our heart beats for those who are often forgotten, neglected and unloved. We desire to see many lives being restored, empowered, and transformed by the love of Christ in action!
We have a vision of the orphan being welcomed into a loving family and provided with hope and a future, the abused and broken being restored, the outcasts being accepted, the widow knowing she is not forgotten, the sick being healed and the poor being cared for.
Our name, Heartbeat Africa, represents the deep compassion and urgency that drives our work. Just as the heartbeat is essential to life, we believe love in action is essential to hope and transformation. Every project, every act of service, every partnership, is an expression of God's heartbeat for the people of Africa - driven by a love that calls us to serve, to restore dignity, and to bring lasting change.
Every pound donated, every promise made is honoured with full transparency and accountability.
We partner with local leaders and organisations who understand their communities best.
Working together with partner organisations to achieve greater, lasting collective impact.
Building initiatives that outlast our presence, creating self-sustaining futures for communities.
Chris Saunders, Heartbeat Africa's Project Coordinator, visited Kenya for the first time at the age of 17. Deeply moved by the poverty and suffering he witnessed, this initial trip planted the seed for Heartbeat Africa and began his lifelong mission to help those forgotten and rejected by society.
Over the next 11 years, Chris made annual visits to Kenya and several other African countries, spending time with orphans, street children, and disabled children. Whilst back in the UK he raised awareness and enlisted the support of many others through fundraising and community events. Key organisations included Amani Village of Hope, Molo Street Children Project and Matumaini Rehabilitation Centre.
Heartbeat Africa officially registered as a UK Charity no. 1164789, enabling structured fundraising and greater accountability with the added benefit of being eligible to receive Gift Aid. Trustees were appointed, making the charity fully structured and accountable and able to have a long-lasting impact.
Heartbeat Africa's Project Coordinator began to make regular trips to remote areas of Northern Kenya affected by extreme poverty and hunger. A partnership with Transform Communities Initiative (TCI) was established. Through this partnership thousands of children in Turkana, Kenya are provided with regular nutritious porridge and hundreds of vulnerable families are provided with emergency food aid.
Heartbeat Africa has raised over £260,000 supporting the educational needs of 200+ children of all ages with many being supported through to college / university. Through the funds raised by our generous supporters we have also built many homes, classrooms and toilet blocks, and have provided life saving surgeries, food and emergency aid and provision of water through wells / boreholes.
Heartbeat Africa continues its expanding impact, now reaching more communities across East Africa. Our team of dedicated trustees and volunteers continue growing our partnerships and deepening our impact to bring lasting hope and transformation to those who need it most.
Join us in bringing hope, dignity and transformation to East Africa.