Clayton and Ellen Kershaw Return to Zambia for the Opening Ceremony of Hope’s Home

The Kershaw’s made their annual trip to Zambia in order to celebrate a wonderful achievement. On Day four of their trip they had the opening ceremony for Hope’s Home orphanage which opened last month. It was a beautiful event which was captured in photographs and posted on the Kershaw’s Challenge website. There was an authentic Zambian lunch, a local singing group filled the air with song and dance, prayer was recited, and 100 blue and orange balloons were released.

There are already eight children who make Hope’s Home their own home. The orphans showed Ellen and Clayton their beds which are the first ones that they have ever slept on in their lives. Just a couple of weeks ago, these children were fending for themselves in the slums of Lusaka. Now they have three loving house mothers, a garden in which to plant fruits and vegetables, and access to HIV medication.

The Kershaws also visited another local orphanage, Mother Theresa’s, were they spent time with the full-time residents which included infants and toddlers.

Jan 17, 2012, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and wife Ellen Kershaw at press conference at Dodger Stadium to discuss their book. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

Shawn Tolleson and his wife also made the journey to Africa with the Kershaws. One poignant photo shows the two pitchers playing catch as they squeeze in a workout as a young Zambian boy looks on in amazement.

Along with Arise Africa, the charitable foundation which the Kershaws work with, they have built this orphanage which is truly a beacon of hope within a dark and impoverished African city. It really makes me proud that Clayton and Ellen represent the Dodgers. It makes me confident that if Kershaw receives a well-deserved raise here soon, that he will be using some of his money to continue these good deeds for these beautiful children.