Nazareth Hospital

Nazareth Mission Hospital was founded by the Consolata Sisters from Italy in 1964 to meet the needs of the rural population just outside Nairobi. The hospital is currently run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Since the formation of Tree of Lives in 2004, we have worked in partnership with Nazareth Hospital to serve the least, last, and lost of Kenya through pastoral support, medical treatment, financial assistance, and the ministries below. Our Pastoral Counseling Ministry is the first of its kind in Kenya and has created a model for other similar programs.

 Meet Vinton

Vinton first became involved with Tree of Lives in September of 2009 when he was hired as a chaplain. He got his Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) in Nairobi and became a pioneer in CPE for Kenya. He describes his work over the last 10 years as a “journey” and is continuously inspired by supporting patients in any way he can. Vinton has one other colleague who provides counseling. They work together to meet each patients individual need. On a daily basis, he starts working around 7am by doing rounds to identify patients who need psychological or spiritual support. He checks up on patients he has already seen and informs the doctors of any updates. For 3-5 weeks after treatment, he continues to counsel patients. Vinton is also in charge of the Charity Patient Account. 90% of the patients who receive assistance are HIV+ and cannot afford medical costs. The patient account also covers many patients in the maternity ward especially those who need c-sections for delivery. Vinton has lived in Kenya his entire life. He is married to Varine who is a nurse. They have 3 children, Rooney, Daryl, and Nathan who are his pride and joy. We feel incredibly lucky to have Vinton on our team.

Charity Patient Account

The Charity Patient Account is used to provide assistance to patients seeking medical treatment who cannot afford to pay for it themselves. Tree of Lives works with Nazareth Hospital to identify the patients with the most need and to provide quality care and prescriptions. 

Pastoral Counseling 

Tree of Lives fully funds the only pastoral counseling and care department of its kind in Kenya. Two fully trained and certified pastoral counselors work to provide spiritual and emotional support to any patient desiring it along their medical journey. This is the first program of its kind in Kenya. 

Urology Unit @ Nazareth

Tree of Lives officially opened the Urology Unit in 2019 at Nazareth Hospital. We brought in our own doctors to teach surgeries required to use the new equipment including dialysis machines which are fully set up and ready to provide assistance to those who need it.

1. Fully supports the Nazareth Charity Fund that provides medical and financial support for the neediest patients to receive quality care and prescription medications.

2. Funds the Pastoral Counseling Center, one of the only teams of its kind in Africa. This team provides thousands of hours of counseling to patients and training to Nazareth staff, local church & community leaders.

3. Trains pastors and staff for the hospice (palliative) care program that provides quality holistic care to those who suffer from terminal disease and to their families.