Our Story

Stu gently pushed Amy on organizing such an ambitious project on short notice. But Amy wouldn’t take no for an answer. “You’re the business guy,” she told him, “you raise the money, and I’ll organize the trip.” 

Fuelled by determination, Stu rallied their network and raised $17,000, enough to buy much-needed supplies for a school in a small village in El Salvador.

That first trip was transformative. Amy had already seen the challenges faced by children in underserved communities during her travels, but this experience cemented her belief in the power of education to break the cycle of poverty. It also sparked a bigger vision.

The McLarens expanded their efforts, heading next to Uganda to support another community in need. But it was in Nakuru County, Kenya, that everything changed. While traveling through the region, they met Irene Ngatia, founder of VICDA, who shared the stories of internally displaced families rebuilding their lives after the 2007-2008 election violence.

Standing in an empty field, Amy and Stu saw children with no access to schools and a community eager for change. It was there, alongside Irene, that the vision for Village Impact took shape: to create safe, nurturing spaces where children could dream, learn, and rise out of poverty through education.

Since that moment, Village Impact has grown into a thriving movement. By partnering with local leaders, grassroots organizations, and global entrepreneurs, the McLarens have turned their holiday idea into a mission that builds schools, empowers communities, and transforms futures—one child, one school, and one community at a time.