2026 Straw to Bread Trip

May 18-June 1st 2026

 
 
 

Applications Now Open!

  1. APPLY:    DEADLINE to apply:  Saturday, Jan 10, 2026 

  2. INTERVIEW:  Interview with team leaders by Zoom (One of them will contact you to set up a time after your application is received.  ROLLING ADMISSIONS UNTIL TEAM IS FILLED.

  3. MANDATORY ALL-DAY RETREAT:  Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 (9:00 – 4:30)

  4. MANDATORY AFTERNOON MEETING:  Saturday, April 11, 2026 (9:00 – 2:00)

TEAM LEADERS:  Mark Dimski MD, Baylor alum, pediatrician, Straw to Bread Director of Operations and Kyndall White MPH, Baylor alum, Straw to Bread Board of Directors member

COST:    $3900—(optional trip insurance is highly recommended)

Some scholarships are available from the Honors College for Honors students who are accepted on the trip.

Payment Schedule: No refunds will be given after Jan 23rd

$2500 Due Jan 23, 2026

$1400 Due April 1, 2026

Included in trip fee:

  • Airfare from DFW

  • Ground transportation in Kenya

  • Lodging and meals 

    • May 19 Four Points Sheraton Hotel--Airport, Nairobi

    • May 20-28 Del Fuego Hotel in Sondu, near our work site

    • May 29-31 Sarova Resort in the Maasai Mara (including safari) 

  • NOT included in trip fee:  Passport fee, visa, immunizations, malaria medication, optional trip insurance.

REQUIRED FOR TEAM MEMBERS:

  • Completed application 

  • Interview

  • Participation in S2B retreat Saturday, Feb 7, 2026   9:00 am - 4:30 pm

  • Participation in team meeting Saturday, April 11, 2026   9:00 am – 2:00 pm

  • Assigned readings and reaction papers

  • Completed Personal Information Form

  • Immunizations and malaria prevention medicine

  • Current passport and visa

WORK LOCATION:  

  • Rural area on the Nyakach Plateau in western Kenya

  • Closest town is Sondu

  • Closest city is Kisumu—third largest city in Kenya, located on the shores of Lake Victoria (1 hour by van from our destination)

ACTIVITIES:

  • Work alongside Kenyan and U.S. doctors in our hospital (no experience required)

  • Help in our school Bethlehem Home Academy

  • Work in gardens

  • Collect team research data

  • Weave baskets with the elders

  • Visit the elders in their homes

  • Go on safari and have final reflection time

BACKGROUND:

Pastor Habil Ogola is a Luo pastor and retired medical technologist living on the Nyakach Plateau in western Kenya. He began a ministry there called Bethlehem Home to care for 60 orphans and destitute adults (known as “elders”) in 2001.  Along with a leadership team of other local people, the project has grown far beyond the accomplishment of providing food and water for this community and now includes a school and a hospital.  From those early beginnings, a partnership developed with friends in the U.S. that grew into Straw to Bread, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to serve this community and assist them in achieving their goals of health and sustainability.  Together we focus on food security, clean water and air, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.  Hundreds of American college students, physicians, and other professionals have traveled to this place in rural western Kenya with the Straw to Bread team since 2009.  We have seen thousands of patients, planted gardens, carried out research, worked in the school, and helped with public health projects.  Each year brings more growth and friendship, grounded in the goodness, power, and love of God.

Straw to Bread was founded by two Baylor faculty members— Dr Lisa Baker, a pediatrician, and Dr Troy Abell, an epidemiologist.  In 2025, Audrey Tobey MD assumed the role of Executive Director after many years of Lisa’s leadership.  Straw to Bread  has a Board of Directors and is run entirely by volunteers.  100% of donations go to our work in Kenya.

TRIP SCHEDULE:

Day 1-2 Fly from DFW to Nairobi, stay at Four Points Sheraton Hotel-Airport  

Day 3    Fly from Nairobi to Kisumu, Kenya; travel by van to the Plateau to meet the people of 

Bethlehem Home and receive a tour. 

Day 4-9 Work in clinic, school, and gardens, do home visits, collect research data .

Worship on Sunday, play with kids, learn to weave baskets from the elders

Day 10 Final feast with orphans and elders

Day 11 Leave for safari

Day 12 Safari with morning and afternoon game rides

Day 13   Return to Nairobi, fly out in the evening

Day 14 Arrive at DFW