Dodgers Ace Clayton Kershaw and His Wife Have Big Hearts for Kids of Zambia

Clayton Kershaw and his wife Ellen have just returned from another trip to the AIDS and poverty stricken country of Zambia. Its Ellen’s sixth trip and Clayton second trip to the African country. The reason for their pilgrimage this time was to break ground for “Hope’s Home” a safe place for children whose families have been wiped out by the awful disease of AIDS.

“HIV has wiped out the adult population” said Clayton. “They are kids raising kids. The poverty, the living conditions it’s tough to see. It puts in perspective what we have here, things we take for granted, like eating three meals a day and having a place to sleep.” The passion for this cause comes from his wife and high school sweetheart Ellen. Ellen's passion for Africa stems from an Oprah Winfrey special 15 years ago. She took on the challenge to find a way to help in any way she can.

Clayton first trip came right after Ellen and he got married in December of 2010. Within a couple days they were on a plane to Zambia on a mission trip with Arise Africa. Clayton admits he balked at making the trip. A devoted baseball player he had anxiety about missing workouts but the found a way to accomplish both. Some of the guys on the trip had played high school baseball and he even brought a mat to use as a portable catcher and a welder from Zambia built a frame for it. Ellen said that trip had some of the best and most memorable moments. “I kind of saw a perfect picture of my and Clayton’s passions colliding,” she said. Ellen also describes the scene after Clayton was done with his throwing session he would run and the kids would run along with him. The highlight for Clayton “was just playing with the kids and getting hugs and smiles. Ellen had thought she had prepared her husband for the poverty he was going to see but it obviously took him back Ellen described Clayton “ his eyes were huge and his jaw dropped” she also said “ Going over with Clayton, it was like I was seeing him for the first time”. The passion for both of them would take off from here.

The Kershaw’s’ are working with an organization called Arise Africa to help find ways to help Africa rise from poverty. Clayton also continues to do his Kershaw Challenge – Strikeout to Serve. He donates money for every strikeout he throws in a season. This year they plan on adding partner charities from Los Angeles and his hometown of Dallas. The Kershaw’s are also releasing a book “Arise – Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself” Clayton is proud of the book in the fact it has Christians overtones to its message. He has been drawing comparisons to Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow because of the strong faith they both have and do not shy away from. Ellen and Clayton also sponsor a little girl, Hope who is 12. She has HIV and the first time they met her she was a very sick child but now she is healthy and full of life. They are hoping with this new home they are building more children can fellow in the footsteps of Hope.

Clayton in 2011 had his best year as a professional ballplayer by finishing it off by winning the National League Cy Young award for best pitcher. Clayton was asked by his wife Ellen “ What do you what your legacy to be,” Clayton responded “ I want to be remembered for something other than baseball. You can impact other people with your faith. That’s the purpose of what this is all about.”

If you want to learn more go to www.ariseafrica.org or www.kershawchallenge.com