BlogStory of the Week
A sign of hope – family meeting
Remember our recent story of a 10 year old John who felt he needed to take up a father-figure role to support his mum. As TKW Team we believe in building support systems for the sake of every child’s restoration. After listening to John’s mum, Gakenia, we felt the need to call a family meeting that would include the community leaders. John’s mum had high expectation as the outcome for this day. For Gakenia this was a sign of hope that her husband Peter will take up his fatherly responsibilities. She put on her best outfit as she anticipated her husband’s arrival.
On their way back from school, John and his siblings skipped on the hills of Kangaita village, Nyeri because they had heard that their dad was coming back home.
“It has been more than six months since he visited us,” said Gakenia in a sad tone to TKW Team. TKW Team understood that Peter, John’s dad had neglected his fatherly duties of providing for his family. This family meeting was called to address these identified needs including Peter and Gakenia’s separation and provision for the family. Suddenly, there was pin drop silence then we saw the children running towards the gate as they screamed, “Daddy, daddy!” Peter was carrying a bag which he dropped to embrace his children John and Njoki. Gakenia went to embrace and welcome her husband. Peter was given time to settle down because he had travelled from Nakuru where he worked. Gakenia’s pastor opened the meeting with prayer and then the purpose of meeting explained from Peter’s absence from home, support for his children to an agreed strategy for an income generating activity. John and his inseparable sister were out playing and we could hear them giggling.
Peter agreed to send regular support to his family and that other matters would be addressed gradually. The community leaders agreed to rally behind this family to make sure that Peter put his family into order. We hope to see Peter & Gakenia reunited and family restoration.
