The Empty Bowls Project

“The Empty Bowls Project weaves together multiple disciplines—art, social studies, English, and Bible—creating a holistic educational experience rooted in empathy and purpose. In the slums of Nairobi, many families deal with hunger and empty bowls every day. Berean HSE and Hammond Homeschool are partners in this initiative to instill compassion in our students through making a difference in the lives of students at our sister school, Petra School on the Rock in Kenya!” — Kimberly Probst, Director of Berean HSE

A collection of photos from the Empty Bowls Project Event

Bowls Brought to Life Through Art, Learning and Compassion

“Hope is the very first step out of poverty.” — William Probst (Age 16, Grade 11)

William concluded his Empty Bowls essay with this striking statement.

At the end of May, Berean Homeschool Program and Hammond Homeschool partnered with Torchgrab Africa to host its first-ever Empty Bowls fundraiser event. The gathering quickly turned into a beautiful evening of art, learning, generosity and reflection.

Bringing about Awareness and Compassion

The idea began with Kimberly Probst, director of Berean Homeschool. Having traveled twice to Petra School on the Rock with Torchgrab Africa, Probst’s prayers expressed her desire for Berean students to develop hearts that are open to others around the world and to make meaningful contributions to God’s kingdom through acts of service and generosity. 

William Probst and family serving communities and students around Petra School on the Rock in Nairobi, Kenya

Berean Homeschool already partners with Front Range Christian School in its Seed Money fundraiser for Petra School on the Rock. However, Probst voiced, “something was missing in [the] students’ understanding of poverty and what life is like for [many] students in Kenya.” 

The desire to bring greater awareness inspired Probst to create another opportunity for students to deepen their love and compassion for the students of Petra Schools in Nairobi and Mombasa. Through various school events, Probst met Sara Hammond, founder of Hammond Homeschool. 

Torchgrab Africa Founder, Claudia Porter (left) with Sara Hammond (right)

A Voice for the Voiceless 

With Hammond’s help and shared vision, the two were able to develop the Empty Bowls course for the homeschool program that incorporated the Empty Bowls concept. Over several weeks, students researched the effects of poverty impacting children around the world. They reflected on questions such as: What does it mean to go hungry? What is it like to grow up with the mindset of surviving one more day? How can education promote growth and opportunities for a child? After research, reflection and prayer, students began to form narrative essays under the banner, A Voice for the Voiceless 

One student, William Probst, wrote a narrative inspired by the students of Petra School on the Rock. William was a member of our 2022 team to Nairobi, where he witnessed firsthand the effects of child poverty. Yet despite the hopeless surroundings and visible signs of adversity, he also encountered the joyful, hope-filled faces of the precious Petra students. 

William’s story explores themes of stigma, exhaustion, broken systems and the pull of dangerous alternatives when hope begins to disappear. But it also presents the hope that can emerge when a child is given a second chance. 

From Awareness to Action 

This course for the Berean and Hammond Homeschool students brought not only awareness, but also action. During their time of research, students participated in a field trip where each painted a set of bowls. Each bowl served as a reminder of the children and families around the world who face hunger, hardship, and limited access to basic resources. Each student kept one bowl as a personal reminder of the project, while the other was sold at the Empty Bowls Fundraiser. 

A bowl is a simple object, but in the hands of these students, it became a symbol that asked: 

• What does it mean to notice hunger? 

• What does it mean to respond? 

• How can I become a voice for children whose stories are too often unseen?

The Empty Bowls Fundraiser 

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” — 1 Timothy 4:12

Elizabeth Probst, Claudia Porter, Hellen Nguthiru and William Probst at Petra A School on the Rock in Nairobi, Kenya (ordered from left to right)

The fundraiser brought families and community members together for a silent auction, where guests bid on colourful bowls created by the students. Following the auction, guests were served a simple scoop of homemade chicken noodle soup to symbolize the limited resources many children around the world endure. The Berean students also had a chance to present their essays for the gathered assembly. As they shared, the students radiated a deeper sense of joy, not only because they had raised funds, but because they learned that their young lives can make an impact now in the way they speak, act, and care for those near and far. 

All proceeds from the Empty Bowls Fundraiser were donated to help fill the bowls of our students at Petra School on the Rock in Nairobi and Mombasa. Together, in Christ, we can continue to turn poverty into possibility!