We firmly believe we have some of the greatest human beings on the planet serving on our staff team.

And the newest team member in our U.S. office is no exception. As our new Donor Relations Manager, Kayla Daws handles donor communication as well as donation processing and administration. Her sweet spirit, contagious joy, and servant’s heart are such a gift to everyone who interacts with her!

When we asked Kayla what the most life-giving part of her role is, her response was just too beautiful not to share with you:

The most life-giving part is hearing about the change that these donors bring about in South Africa — through their donations, an individual’s broken story can so easily become one of redemption. Secondly, I love witnessing the names of people who continue to faithfully pour out their resources to such a beautiful cause.

I have had a growing heart for Africa for the past six to seven years, so when I read Hope Africa Collective’s webpage before interviewing for the job, I fell in love with their vision to prolong a donation’s impact through equipping the people of South Africa with the resources to sustain their own communities. After seeing the faces of young kids and students that have been impacted, I wanted to play a small part. 

Currently pursuing her Bachelor of Intercultural Studies degree at The King’s University in Southlake, Texas, Kayla has extensive experience with non-profits through internships and international volunteer work. She’s an avid reader, enjoys spending time with her ever-growing flock of nephews and nieces (a benefit of having four sisters), and exploring the great outdoors in a kayak or on horseback.

Kayla shares this about her upbringing and the perspective it’s given her in this season of her life:

My beautiful parents created a haven of a home as I grew up, providing a  space that belonged somewhere between “Anne of Green Gables” and “Little Women” — not because of the house or the area I grew up in, but because of the atmosphere the place always contained. Growing up with acreage and instruments and animals and books aplenty, my parents handed myself and my four sisters a blank canvas. They then offered the knowledge of a faithful Potter who loves to be involved in the creating of a person, as well as the tools to become someone great, and then whispered, “Okay, become you.”

I thank God every day for the family that I have and I am blown away by God’s goodness to very broken people, such as myself and my family. As a result, I feel honored and humbled to be a part of any one person’s story in South Africa. Just being a part of one person’s life over there feels like the HIGHEST HONOR.

That sense of honor is definitely mutual, because we feel so very honored to have Kayla on our team!

As partners with Hope Africa Collective, would you join us in welcoming her to the family? We’d love it if you’d leave some encouraging words for Kayla in the comments!