Moonrise: One Wild, Wonderful Year — A Founder’s Reflection

One year ago, if you’d told me where Moonrise would be today, I probably would’ve smiled politely, nodded, and thought, “Sure, sounds nice.” But wow  what a ride it’s been. Like any big adventure, there were bumps, wrong turns, and the occasional “What are we even doing?” moments. But more than anything, this year has been about growing, gritting our teeth, and feeling incredibly grateful.

This blog post isn’t just a look back  it’s a little victory dance (just imagine me doing a slightly awkward one in the kitchen).

To our amazing team: you are the heart and soul of Moonrise and we are one family. Whether you are out in the field, keeping things running behind the scenes, or helping steer the ship  thank you for showing up, even on the tough days (especially on the tough days).

To our extended crew  supporters, partners, late-night idea-bouncers, and everyone who’s cheered us on: you’ve helped turn a big dream into something real. Your belief in what we’re doing means more than you know.

I want to be honest: it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were times it felt more like trying to row a boat with a spoon. But every challenge taught us something. Every setback helped us sharpen our vision and reminded us why we started in the first place.

What I have learned? Resilience isn’t about being tough all the time. It’s about stumbling, muttering “well, that sucked,” and still getting up the next day to try again.

For years, we dreamed of opening children’s residential homes  safe, warm spaces where young people could really feel at home. It always felt like a huge mountain to climb (in the rain, with slippery shoes).

Then, in late 2024, I met some truly incredible individuals with  full of energy, experience, and the same stubborn hope we had. Together, we got to work. And now?

We’ve officially been granted planning permission to open our own children’s homes.

It’s happening. The dream has legs. (And soon, actual walls and roofs.)

With big dreams come growing teams. We’re welcoming new faces  people with fresh ideas, kind hearts, and a shared passion for what we’re building. Watching Moonrise go from a tiny group of dreamers to a full-blown organization has been wild… in the best way.

We’re building something bigger than us. Something that will last. Something that matters.

This year stretched me. And not just because I forgot to book time off. But somehow, in between the chaos, I found space for family, laughter, and the occasional lazy few days .

People often ask how I haven’t burned out. Truth is: I don’t do this alone. I’m held up by an incredible team, a very patient family, and a belief that what we are doing at Moonrise is 100% worth it.

If this past year taught me anything, it’s that progress isn’t always pretty  but it’s always worth it.

We have got big plans, big hearts, and plenty of caffeine. The road ahead is full of promise and probably more meetings than I would like to admit. But we are moving forward  with purpose, passion, and maybe even a few more awkward dances when no one’s watching.

Thanks for being part of this wild journey. We are just getting started.

With all my gratitude,
Jessica Gwaringa
Founder, Moonrise