Madera-based Cypress Materials is leading an effort to raise $140,000 by Aug. 15, 2025, to ensure the nonprofit Wings of Hope Rescue Home in Kenya can continue its mission of supporting child survivors of sexual assault who become pregnant. Photo via athousandplus.org

A pair of global nutraceutical ingredient suppliers including Madera-based Cypress Minerals have joined forces to raise $140,000 by Aug. 15 to secure a permanent home for Wings of Hope Rescue Home in Nairobi, Kenya.

The campaign, called “Because Hope Needs a Home,” aims to fund the purchase of the shelter that houses girls aged 11 to 17 who are survivors of child sexual assault resulting in pregnancy.

Founded in 2016 by husband-and-wife team Irwin and Liuba Mukonyole, Wings of Hope Rescue Home currently supports 57 residents — mothers and children — in a rented facility; the current owner of the facility plans to sell the property, forcing the residents to vacate by Sept. 1.

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Visit athousandplus.org to donate.

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Founder of Cypress Minerals Paul A. Willis said his company’s mission is “rooted in care and resilience,” reflecting the cypress tree — the company’s namesake. It was founded in 1995 to supplier of ingredients, including its flagship SelenoExcell. It’s been supporting Wings of Hope for the past seven years.

“The team at Wings of Hope Rescue Home gets up to 20 calls a week from the government to accept new residents, but without a permanent home they will own, they have no certainty and no hope,” Willis said. “We must act now to support their needs. Wings of Hope Rescue Home only accepts those in the most dire situations.”

Michelle Martin, president and chief operating officer of Cypress Minerals, said that regardless of location, sexual violence against children is both a public emergency and personal tragedy.

“In addition to providing immediate shelter and care, education is central to the long-term rehabilitation of these young mothers and their children — basic human rights we take for granted. Education also empowers women in the growth and stability of the African nation,” Martin said.

New Jersey-based ingredients supplier Cepham is also joining in the effort. Chief Operating Officer Sameer Joshi said that the success of the campaign would align closely with values shared in the companies’ industry of nutraceuticals — defined by the National Institutes of Health as specially designed preparations formulated to aim in fulfilling specific dietary requirements and/ or offering preventative health care.

“This would be a powerful demonstration of solidarity and purpose, aligning with the humanitarian values shared by the global nutraceuticals community,” Joshi said.

The campaign urges industry-wide support through nonprofit A Thousand Plus, an organization that channels 100% of proceeds directly to the shelter.

Donations — 100% tax-deductible through A Thousand Plus — can be made directly on the website.