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Tumaini News: February 2017
Thank you for walking with me
Heddwyn & Lydiah spent Christmas 2016 in Kenya, connecting with family and friends. One of the highlights of our visit to Kenya was spending an afternoon with these young men. Listening to their stories of how much they appreciate TKW’s intervention when they were lost. As Francis (far right) said, “I was on streets out of rebellion to my mother. I dropped out of high school and joined a group of boys on the streets. My mother is always grateful to TKW for rescuing me and returning me back home.’
We shared a leisurely afternoon with food and catch up. We thank Mary for facilitating the afternoon. Grace Mwangi joined us since she is in touch with most of the young people rescued when TKW began reaching out to children of the streets.
It was like one of those reunions where each one of them were free to share about their past. The good, the bad and in between. They have been loved and given hope
Against all odds…but Going Places! Paul Muturi who was rescued in 2006 proudly shared that he is doing a diploma course in architecture at JKUAT (a local university). On completion, he is hoping to join his uncle who is in construction business. He said, ‘Sorry for giving you such a hard time when you were trying to help me. I was an angry young man, but you didn’t give up on me.’ TKW found Paul a foster family when they rescued him the second time because he couldn’t settle at home. His mother felt helpless. He read every readable material around Jane’s house even when the paraffin was not available, he used light from the fire wood to read. He now wondered what to do next… He had a hunger for knowledge that was not easy to satisfy. He excelled in his studies and many of his classmates sought him out to help them. But even with a caring foster family, he was restless. He woke up one morning and said that he wanted to go home. His journey has had its up and downs but he continues to excel in his studies. His earlier aspirations were to become a judge but his uncle, who has been his mentor encouraged him to pursue architecture. A program in Molo (in North Rift) town sponsored him through high school where he performed well (362 out of 500 marks)and are also sponsoring him through university. Paul said, ‘I am so grateful TKW team who have kept in touch with me and my family. I have also connected with my dad at last and thank you for helping me appreciate my family.’
Francis Gichuki – peer pressure
Francis was rescued from the streets in 2008, was reconciled to his mother in Githurai. He settled amidst challenges negative peer influence. He did K.C.P.E and joined Philadephia High school and his hard working mother took responsibility to ensure Francis settled.
TKW Team made several visits to his school to offer guidance and counselling to Francis. He finished high school and has recently completed a course in mechanics. He is now an apprentice with a local garage and hopes to get a job. TKW team are still in touch with the family and follows Francis’ progress with a sense of a job well done.
George Njuguna: Appreciating family
George was rescued from a crowded children’s home in 1999. Williams’ family fostered him for 7 years. He says, ‘When my dad died in 1994, my grandmother took me and my brothers to a children’s home ‘to give us a chance of getting education’, but I was snatched from my mother. The Williams rescued me and gave me the best family experience. They also put me in one of the best primary schools. When I did KCPE, I joined a high school near my home. I was reunited with my mum and extended family which was always my desire. I was sponsored through high school and the studied IT and electronics in College.
I am now doing what I always wanted to do working with electronics. My dream is to become a Leader in the world of IT…. (Give me Steve Job’s shoes!)
I am very grateful for what the Lord has done in my life, and I take this opportunity to say thank you. I don’t know how to express my joy but to thank God since there are many people out there who wish to get such an opportunity of joining college and it is not there. As I joined college, my goal has been to become the next leader in the world of IT. Since this is my goal I am going to do my best, indeed all I can to achieve it. My word to the team in Tumaini Kwa Watoto is ‘thank you, continue with the great work you are doing’.” Back in 2006, George said his dream was go to Japan to learn electronics from the best. The journey toward this dream continues. Who would have thought that the sad boy who came to the Williams in 1999 would become a confident young man who is maximising his potential? Occasionally George pops to TKW’s office and will sort out any issues with the laptops.
Recently George’s uncle reported that George is a very responsible young man. He works hard at whatever he does and takes his role as an elder brother and a son very seriously. This is a reflection of the foundation that was laid during the seven years that he lived in a family that modelled a godly lifestyle, respect and honour for parents and taking responsibility for your own life. We thank God for the opportunity to make a difference in this young man. We believe he will make a positive impact in his generation and beyond.
Victor Gatitu – Alone and lonely
Victor says, ‘I’m so grateful for Nairobi Chapel Jubilee Scholarship and mentorship program. I benefitted greatly from the camps and times when we were met together with others students. Thank you Tumaini Kwa Watoto for walking with me.’
After Victor’s parents died, his sister was taken to an informal school while Victor stayed with his uncle James. Victor was very upset to be separated with his sister and he too wanted to join the same school. He was influenced by his friends and ended up on the streets.
We met Victor at a government’s rehabilitation centre in 2007. Victor is a quiet boy and this made it hard to identify him among more rowdy boys. Victor hated the place and vowed never to return there. He gave us directions to his uncle’s place and soon he was on his way back home. The family has adopted Victor as one of their own. Victor and cousins are like brothers and sisters. Looking at Victor today, you would not believe that he was ever on the streets of Nairobi. He has been transformed into a responsible young man.
When Victor completed primary school, his uncle sent us this message, “Victor has performed very well in his studies and I will do my best to get him into the best school.” James was determined to ensure that although Victor is an orphan he gets the same treatment as his own children. He took the initiative to find a school for Victor while finding one for his daughter and Victor’s sister. Victor got sponsorship from Nairobi Chapel Jubilee Scholarship fund and his uncle provided other school requirements. If all fathers had a heart like James, this world would be a better place for the children of Africa.
Victor is waiting to join university to study civil engineering thanks to the promise of sponsorship by Jubilee Scholarship fund. We are grateful to our partners who enable us empower young people like Victor.
Augustine Mudome – Who am I?
Who am I? 16 years ago Augustine was on the streets hopeless with no place to call home. Hewas among the first children that we rescued in 2000. It’s been a long walked with him. His family situation was difficult because his mother was mentally challenged. He had no sense of identity since his father rejected him and his siblings due to him mother’s ill health. His aunts and uncle kept moving him from one home to the next. Augustine was happy when he joined high school. It meant stability and opportunity to make a future for himself. His mother died when he was in high school.
He was a beneficially of Nairobi Chapel’s Jubilee Scholaship scheme. He was later involved in the mentorship of other young people like him as well as working with high school students.
Augustine says, ‘I don’t know whether I would be alive if TKW hadn’t intervened in my life. I was loved and helped. I remember when I stayed with the Williams and we prayed that it would rain and it rained. That was the beginning of my journey of faith. If God could send rain in answer to their prayers, God can meet my needs too. I have been doing business but it hasn’t go well. I’m now waiting to start a new job. I thank God for my wife, Faith and my son. Thank you “mum & dad’ for modelling a godly family.’
22nd November, 2014, Augustine & Faith had a colorful wedding with many guests who came to witness God’s doing. It was a marvelous sight to behold. Faith has brought Augustine this far, married Faith and they will hold on to faith in God. They are certain that faith will see them through! They are parents of one adorable child. Augustine says, “My life is about what faith in God can do. I am a child of God. I have a father who will never let me go wandering again.”
This is one of 1000 testimonies that inspire TKW team to continue to relate with the children on the streets, and rescue them, reintegrate them with their families and communities and restore them through various empowerment strategies, to make a difference in their generation and beyond. In 2016, 213 children were reintegrated back with their families and the task of empowering those children and their families is ongoing.
1000 reasons to celebrate. 1000 reasons to care. 1000 children means that 1000 families and 1000 communities have received hope. Will you join us to celebrate and plan how we will rescue the next 1000 children from the streets? Watch this space for events celebrating this milestone in 2017.
