Tree of Life Ministries

About Us

Tree of Life Ministries is a byproduct of Tree of Life Fellowship, a Non-Denominational Church in Vernon WI. Tree of Life Fellowship supported Mama Wilfrida Children’s Home as a ministry partner. I served as Pastor from 2007 to 2014. My years of Pastoring coincided with my years as a caregiver for my wife who suffered from a stroke in 2004 and subsequently passed away in 2013. After nearly 10 years of caregiving, I had to resign from my position of pastoring and resume working full-time. The church board examined options of finding a replacement and finally came to the decision to close the church. After the church was dissolved, myself and a small group of donors of Mama Wilfrida Children’s Home continued to support them in an unofficial capacity.

The connection between Mama Wifrida and Tree of Life Fellowship began in the late 90’s. For over the past 11 years I have been spearheading fund-raising efforts. During those years my relationship with Samson and Betty Nyameche (founders of Mama Wilfrida Children’s Home) has grown and they are both good personal friends along with their family.

Raising money has challenges, especially for overseas organizations. Trust and transparency are a concern. Unfortunately, there are groups that have exploited the hardships of people in Third World countries for profit, and some organizations have a disproportionate amount of money that goes to administrative cost rather than to those in need. Tree of Life Ministries is an all-volunteer organization with bare minimum expenses for essential purposes specific to raising awareness through printed material, website, mailing, and logistics cost for shipping goods to Kenya. We incorporated in 2024 with the intent of growing our support by reaching out to potential new donors, partnering with other ministries, businesses, community organizations, neighbors, and friends. We deal directly with Mama Wilfrida and as of this year the Milele Home a sister ministry to Mama Wilfrida.

Having personally been to Kenya I can attest that these children’s homes are operating as well as possible with their limited resources and they are extremely grateful for our efforts. However, the needs far outpace the resources coming in. Often food and medicine are rationed, and schooling must be suspended because there isn’t enough money for tuition.  The local support is scarce with no government assistance available. With so many noble and worthy causes I fully understand that we all must be selective and listen to where our heart leads us for charitable donations.

We are dependent upon faith and trust in God that our efforts will be fruitful. We add our voice, legs, and hands to our prayers and know that God will take care of the rest.

Thank you for taking the time to review our website and please contact us if you would like further information about our ministry.

Joe Romano