06/12/2026
Changing A Destiny: One Woman's Faith, One Child's Story, and a Mission That Is Transforming Lives Across the World
By Cindy Nicoletti, Founder of Celebrate Our Town
Every once in a while, I sit down with someone whose story leaves me speechless.
Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Kathy Kohl, co-founder of Changing A Destiny, one of Celebrate Our Town's newest nonprofit partners. What I thought would be a conversation about a local charity quickly became one of the most inspiring stories of faith, obedience, and transformation I have ever heard.
Some organizations provide services.
Some organizations provide hope.
Changing A Destiny is literally changing destinies.
It All Started With One Little Boy
As Kathy shared her story with me, I found myself captivated by the incredible chain of events that led to the creation of this ministry.
In 2017, Kathy traveled to Kilifi County, Kenya, on a mission trip. While there, she met a baby boy named Raymond.
Raymond's life began under heartbreaking circumstances.
Shortly after birth, he was abandoned in a dumpster with his umbilical cord still attached. By the grace of God, someone heard his cries, rescued him, and brought him to a hospital. Eventually, Raymond was placed in an orphanage.
When Kathy met him, she immediately felt a connection.
"I couldn't stop thinking about him," Kathy told me.
After returning home to Wisconsin, Kathy stayed connected through her dear friend Nicole, who lived in Kenya and continued visiting Raymond regularly. Nicole would send photos and videos so Kathy could watch him grow from thousands of miles away.
Then one day, while looking at a photo of Raymond being held by Nicole's husband Tom, Kathy felt God place a question on her heart.
"What if they adopted him?"
Kathy shared the thought with her Bible study group. Together they prayed.
Then something extraordinary happened.
One woman in the group offered to pay the adoption expenses if Nicole and Tom agreed to adopt Raymond.
With tears in her eyes, Kathy realized God was opening a door.
When she finally approached Nicole with the idea, she discovered something remarkable.
God had already placed the exact same desire on Nicole and Tom's hearts.
Today, Raymond is a thriving young boy surrounded by love, opportunity, and family.
In an incredible full-circle moment, Kathy reconnected with Raymond in 2023 and continues to watch him flourish. Even more beautiful, Raymond's adoption became the spark that ignited a ministry now impacting hundreds of children and families.
As Kathy and Nicole witnessed the challenges facing children in Kenya, they knew God was calling them to do more.
Many children in the region face unimaginable hardships. Without education and support, they become vulnerable to poverty, trafficking, criminal gangs, slavery, and forced marriages at a very young age.
Kathy and Nicole believed every child deserved the opportunity to learn, grow, and discover God's love.
That belief became the foundation of Changing A Destiny Founded in 2020, the ministry's vision is simple yet powerful:
"Changing A Destiny is dedicated to instructing students and families in the ways of God's Word and of His love, mercy, and forgiveness; and to planting seeds of faith in Kilifi, Kenya, and neighboring communities through education, Bible studies, and friendship."
What God Has Already Accomplished
What began with one rescued child has grown into something truly extraordinary.
Through faith, prayer, generous supporters, and God's provision, Changing A Destiny has established:
• 2.5 acres of land in Kenya
• A church and Sunday school shelter
• A 105-foot-deep fresh water well
• Eight classrooms
• 126 enrolled students
• Breakfast and lunch provided during the school week
• Fourteen local staff members serving the children
These aren't just buildings.
These are opportunities.
These are futures.
These are lives being transformed.
Changing Lives Here at Home Too
What impressed me most during my conversation with Kathy was that Changing A Destiny isn't only serving internationally.
They are deeply invested in our local communities as well.
Through partnerships with Life Choices, they provide free essentials and support to women and families facing difficult circumstances.
They partner with many other local non profit organizations carefully building help and hope for those in our communities in need.
Additionally, they collaborate with local businesses and host fundraisers throughout Waterford and surrounding communities, strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods while helping families both locally and abroad. Their impact truly extends from Waterford to Kenya and everywhere in between.
While so much has already been accomplished, Kathy shared that there is still tremendous work to do.
The school continues to grow, and ongoing support is needed for:
• School supplies and educational resources
• Technology and computer equipment
• Student desks and classroom furnishings
• Playground equipment
• Their future kitchen and cafeteria project
• Daily meals for students
Most importantly, there are currently more than 80 children who still need sponsors.
For just $25 per month — less than 83 cents per day — a child receives:
• Placement in school
• Two meals a day
• School uniform
• Books and educational materials
• Christian education
• Mentorship and support
• Hope for a brighter future
Think about that.
Less than the cost of a cup of coffee can completely change a child's future.
How You Can Help Change A Destiny
There are many ways to become involved:
Sponsor a Child
Just $25 per month helps provide education, meals, uniforms, books, and Christian learning opportunities.
Support Their Giving Tree Program
• $30–$50 provides notebooks and pencils for 10 students
• $150 provides a student desk and chair set
• $150 helps purchase food preparation tables for the kitchen
• $300 helps purchase a computer for the IT Learning Center
• $250–$500 helps fund playground equipment
• Donations toward the future kitchen and cafeteria project are greatly needed
Donate Shoes Year-Round
New or gently used shoes may be dropped off at:
KK Photography
300 E. Main Street
Waterford, WI 53185
At Celebrate Our Town, we meet incredible business owners, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations every day.
But occasionally we encounter a mission that reminds us what happens when ordinary people simply say "yes" to our Creator's calling. Changing A Destiny is one of those missions.
What began with a baby rescued from a dumpster has become a ministry transforming lives, strengthening families, educating children, and sharing God's love across continents.
Kathy Kohl and Nicole have shown us that when faith meets action, destinies truly can change.
Thank you, Kathy, for taking the time to share your story with us. Your compassion, dedication, and unwavering trust in God's plan are inspiring beyond words.
Celebrate Our Town is honored to partner with such an extraordinary organization and help spread awareness of the incredible work being done both locally and internationally.
Together, we can help change a destiny.
One child.
One family.
One future at a time.
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to make a donation, visit ChangingADestiny.org.
Contact Kathy Kohl:
414-861-8749
[email protected]
PLEASE help us help others.
A single act of generosity could change a child's destiny forever.
