Missing his dad: Reconciling parents gives a child a secure home…

“My parents are together”, said Joseph

Joseph was excited to welcome us and then he said, “My parents are together and have resolved their conflicts. I have stopped going to the video shops, staying up until late hours of the night and I’m focusing on my studies.” When TKW team visited Joseph recently we found that he had been admitted to Crossroads Primary School. His behavior has improved. He wants to perform well, and his teachers are supporting him. We could see Joseph’s parents’ joy as they were comfortable with each other. They decided to relocate from Kinale to another place to have a fresh start. As they were thinking of an income generating business, we taught them how to make soap which they hope will start earning income for the family soon.

Thirteen old Joseph is a small boy with a hoarse and confident voice that would be mistaken for a pastor.  He has been unsettled and admitted to have been on the streets of Naivasha (his home town) several times before coming to Nairobi.  His mum, Teresa said: “I have rescued him from the streets a few times and then he goes back again.  I have found it difficult to keep him at home since his father left us. Joseph must have missed his dad.  He also loves money and dislikes authority figures thus his reason for going to the streets.  I try my best to provide basic needs for my family.”

Although it was initially difficult to find Joseph’s family, our persistence paid off. Joseph was reintegrated with his mother and she was very happy to see him. She had not been eating well because she kept thinking about her son.  Joseph has been deviant but he was willing to reform, settle at home and resume school. TKW Team also left Joseph in the care of the pastor of a local church and local administration ((Area Chief) in Kinale, Naivasha area.

Joseph is among 214 children rescued by the end October 2014!  Well done TKW team for this work of excellence. It never ceases to amaze us to see a child from the streets go back home.   We are pleased to inspire, influence and impact lives of these children, their families and communities.  Come “walk another child home” with us.  £250, or £20 a month for a year or £5 a week for a year will rescue one child and enable us to monitor his progress.  Let’s see how many children we can rescue this Christmas.  Give a child a chance in life. 

 

Love and hope led him to faith and he married Faith

14 years ago Augustine was on the streets hopeless having nowhere to call home. After being on the streets for six months TKW team rescued him and have walked with him through many challenges.  On Saturday, 22^nd November, 2014, Augustine & Faith had a colorful wedding with many guests who came to witness God’s doing, which was a marvelous sight to behold. Faith has brought Augustine this far, he has married Faith and they will hold on to faith in God.  They are certain that faith will see them through!

 

 

A few weeks ago Lydiah wrote “Augustine is getting married to Faith, and we need to see how TKW will be represented”.

Liz writes: “I had heard about the transforming success story of this young man and was looking forward to meet him.  Two weeks before then, the Williams had sent an e-copy card that Augustine, who was once a boy on the streets, was preparing for his wedding.

On a Wednesday prior to their wedding, when I was just about to step out for lunch, I saw two people coming through our gates, and for some reason, I knew it was Augustine and his fiancée.  After exchanging greetings, I confirmed that indeed at long last, they had made it to the office.

Augustine seemed at ease with the team members, a sign that they are part of his family.  He introduced his pretty fiancée Faith and gave the team his photo album to see the photos of their pre-wedding, which was a very joyous occasion. They have known God as a God who comes through for them in the 11^th hour and indeed their faith though tried many times has been strengthened and their trust in God is sure.

Why Faith, I asked Augustine? He actually is not sure why, maybe a Pastor Faith who has been an inspiration in his life and more so, because his life is all about having Faith in God!

This is one of the many testimonies that inspire TKW team, to continue to relate with the children on the streets, and rescue them in a bid to reintegrate them with their families and communities and restore them to the position God purposed for each of his creation.”

Writes Liz Musima who represented Tumaini Kwa Watoto and presented a gift to Augustine & Faith on their wedding day.

 

Hope for Stephen, the skating boy

Don’t let his dream die.  Even on the streets, Stephen carried his skating shoes with him. When TKW team rescued him, he said: “I know I will become a wonderful roller skater and do great things one day.”! Every child on the streets has a dream. Let’s keep the dreams of many children alive.

TKW team has rescued 225 children from the streets in 2014 and this is not a battle for the faint hearted.  We must be relentless in our fight to repossess our children and parent them in the right way to become useful adults. We need to do this battle in our homes, in our communities, and we need people who are courageous to take the lead.  Come “walk another child home” with us.  £250, or £20 a month for a year or £5 a week for a year will rescue one child and enable us to monitor his progress.  Let’s see how many children we can rescue this Christmas. Give a child a chance in life.

They did it!

Heddwyn, Brian & Diyan did it to walk another child home. Running is not everyone’s cup of tea, so to speak. There are people who are just born to run, they a re sporty, fit, training regularly, etc. but for Diyan that wasn’t case. He share with us that he is not a runner, he hates jogging, it’s just not his thing. For me this is a serious sacrifice, as I’m literally sacrificing my body, hahaha”, said Diyan with his typical sense of humour.

 

 

I’ve never done anything like this in my entire life, so I knew it would be horrendous but….I didn’t care. I was determined to do it if that will help save more children. I didn’t expected it to be so challenging, physically and mentally but it was worth it. I was thrilled of the outcome, with the help of so many good people out there we got nearly £1000 to support the on-going costs of the rescuing operation of Tumini Kwa Watoto. Thank you, everyone.”

 

Heddwyn has done the 10K before, he is our hero. He says, “I just want to let everyone know that I successfully completed the Swansea Bay 10k race 4 minutes faster than last year in 76m 16 seconds.  Next year I’d like to get it down to 60minutes so back to the gym next week. Though very weary later in the day, I’m very grateful to be able to support our Team in Kenya.”

A couple of days before the race, the email below came from a boy who we rescued from the streets of Nairobi 13 years ago. He had highly infectious scabies and I remember that for 1 month I had to smear this horrid smelling cream on him every evening.

Augustine writes,

“Hope this finds you well dear Mum and Dad. I’m getting married to a beautiful lady by the name Faith on 22 Nov 2014. I’m requesting for your prayers and support that God may bless my family that it will be a blessing to him. I love you so much mum and dad.  You welcomed me to your house because how much you loved me.  I saw love in your house.  I remember when we went for a mission in Kibera and you introduce me in what you are doing and a lady asked you what if you leave this boy in the house and they steal from you what would you do?’ TV, mali ni ya Mungu so hiyo nimewachia Mungu’ (TV, wealth belongs to God and so I have left everything to God).  Thank you guys I am happy to be in your lives. How I have made you proud cos I learned and practise what you taught me I still remember?”

This is what Children of Hope’s vision is about.  Lifting young people like Augustine from the rubbish heap, loving him and giving him hope.  It’s worth every sacrifice I’ve made to impact lives of children like Augustine.To sacrifice towards the rescue and restoration of more children by the Children of Hope Team, you are welcome to support my run and donate at:   https://my.give.net/swanseabay10k.

Thank you so much.”

 

 

The race was tough but the motivation to walk more children from the streets back to the families propelled them on. Brian said, “At the 7k, I was beginning to get tired because of the heat, but when I caught up with Diyan, we ran together.  We encouraged each other to keep going to the end. Children like John (story below) are the reason why we persevered.” Together Everyone Achieves More (Team)

John Wambugu (below) is one of seven children from a unique family.  There are two sets of twins. He has a twin sister called Njoki who is very close to him. His other sister Ciru is both dump and deaf.   His mum has a challenging task with 7 children on her own.

Imagine yourself as a ten (10) year old like John who took responsibility for his family alongside his mother. When his parents separated, John saw his mother struggling to put food on the table, he started taking up responsibilities which easily lured him into small crimes.  The situation was confounded when his father remarried cutting himself off from John and his family.

Children of Hope’s intervention brought transformation to this family. John seen here with his sister is now well settled back home with his family.  His parents are reconciled and his dad has taken responsibility up for his family.

Thank you Heddwyn, Brian, Diyan and all those who have given towards walking more children like John home. It’s not too late to invest in these young lives.  We appreciate you.

Resourcing challenge: Do you have ideas for resourcing restoration of 188 children who have been walked home in 2014? Could you do a sponsored run/walk, organise a coffee morning, cake sale, tell your friends & family, etc?  Together Everyone Achieves More.  We got to do it together.

 

Lois counts her blessings as she is reunited with her two sons, Isaac and Anthony  

 “Ta imagine” (just imagine) Isaac’s mother, Lois said. I had lost two sons to the streets. Everyone turned against me including my husband, my in-laws and all my friends. They thought that something was wrong with me and that’s why my children were running away. Thank you Lord for showing me your faithfulness. Then my morning came.  TKW team arrived with my second born son Isaac whom they found on the streets of Nairobi. They promised to find my other son Anthony who was still on the streets.

Four months later again these people brought Anthony home. I could not believe my eyes as I saw them walking towards me. Surely this was God who has answered my prayers and given me a double blessing, reuniting me with my two sons’’

Isaac: “I was influenced by my brother to go to the streets. He had told me stories about the tall buildings and the great life in Nairobi and suddenly my curiosity got over me. One day he announced that he wanted to go to the streets and I decided to go with him and experience the great life that he had been talking about.  Little did I know what was waiting for me on the streets: the cold, hunger, lack of shelter and other hardships.  My brother disappeared and I was left alone on the streets. TKW Team came with the message of going home and I was more than ready. ”

Anthony: “Life was harder than I thought and this time there was no option of going home as I had lost my brother on the streets. One day I went to beg and when I came back to the base he was not there. I blamed myself for what happened to him because I brought him to the streets. I had lost hope of finding him alive again when news got to me that there were people who were looking for me. These people told me that my brother Isaac was safe at home and that they also wanted to take me home.  I was so happy to be reunited with my family.”

TKW Team – We first met this family when we rescued Isaac. His mother was so happy to see her son back as she had been praying for them. She said that her marriage was almost over as the family members continued blaming her for what happened to her sons. Some were even threatening to take her to the police. Four months later we found Anthony who was still on the streets and took him back to his family.

After Isaac & Anthony’s return, relationship with dad, family & friends has been restored. The relatives who include their grandfather who lives in Kitale were overwhelmed by the news of the boys’ return home. Their grandfather requested their parents to take them to visit him so that he could bless them. The boys are back in school, Anthony in class 6 and Isaac in class 5 at Namanga A.I.C Primary School.

Celebrate with Isaac & Anthony’s mum who experienced a double blessing plus restored family and community relationships. Together finding lost children and reuniting them with distressed parents, walking alongside them to restore broken relationships and reconnecting them with support systems in their communities.

Come walk with another child.

 Javan:  “I thank God for the people who sponsored me to complete high school and to go to college.  I’m grateful to the Williams’ family who hosted me in their home for one and half years.  “It took me seven years to complete high school due to problems with school fees.  My family had fallen on hard times.  My mother who is our only bread winner as a teacher had worked for months without being paid her salary.  She left me with my brother David to go find paying work.  In the meantime, we didn’t have any food in the house and David decided to go look for mum and got lost in the city.”  Fast forward, TKW team met David who connected us with Javan and his family.

TKW found a sponsor for Javan to complete high school and go to college.  He has a diploma in public administration.  In November 2013, he got a job with a chicken distribution company and is slowly supporting his family.  Educate a child, empower for life!

 

 

 Esther and Sarah…five years on since we rescued them from the streets…

It gives us great joy to see these two girls excelling in education in spite of their challenging background. We give thanks to our partners who have given towards their educational and personal needs.

Their class teachers gave a positive report on their character in school and also reported that the two girls are obedient and very cooperative. They know that education will give them a better chance in life and they are committed to working hard to achieve their dreams. They have improved in their performance: Esther in class seven was position 2/16 while Sarah in class five was position 9/14.

Lydiah’s sister, Irene has once again hosted the two girls for two weeks in her home near Nyeri (central Kenya) during the August holidays.  We are still looking for a family to accommodate them during the school holidays as we continue to work with their parents to empower them to take responsibility for their daughters. The parents are making very slow progress as they continue to live in Majengo slum in Nairobi without any focus to their lives.

Identified needs: a sponsor for each of the girls through education: £330 for next term (both girls’ school fees & personal effects) and a family to host them during school holidays.

 Clinton Shauri says,” I’m very grateful for your support through Tumaini Kwa Watoto as they partner with you in changing the lives of children to see their dreams come true. I’m pleased that I’ve completed the fifth semester of my degree at Nairobi University and I believe I have done well.

I’m also engaged in church activities that have helped me grow spiritually and also get other benefits that supplement some of my upkeep. I teach Sunday school and work alongside other workers at Nairobi Chapel.  Thank you for your support”

Encouraging others:  Francis likes school and works very hard to see his grades improve, but he is still very weak in his academics.  He is very quiet and well-behaved in school but well-liked by his peers.  Francis is engaged with his school’s volley ball team.

Dennis Mayaka aspires to become a journalist.  He is actively engaged in the journalism club in school as well as the Christian Union.  He is having challenges adjusting to teenage years and this has affected his performance this past term.  We continue to work with Dennis and hope he will find a mentor to help him build a strong character to focus on his education.

 

Anthony Wanjala has great potential and the school is encouraging him work hard to achieve better results. He has been a well-disciplined boy in school.  He is still actively involved in the school Christian Union and school football team.

George Njuguna seen here repairing some electric gadget is almost completing his diploma in electronics and we are encouraging him to use the skills he has acquired to gain experience. (George lived with the Williams’ family for 7 years)

We appreciate your partnership in empowering these young people through education.  Education sponsorship is a challenge we face every year as the number of children needing support increase.  By the end of August 160 children had been rescued from the streets! Will you consider sponsoring one child or support a social worker? We will be delighted to send you profiles of children to help you decide to invest in our children, our future. Empowered team, empowered children and empowered families leads to national transformation!

 

A group of 12 people sat under the shade of a fig tree in Migosi area, Kisumu District in Nyanza province- Kenya. There was no stage, no curtains or orchestra. The TKW team chose to do it differently – getting the group to share the issues in their community.  The only other spotlight was the blazing midday sun. Farm animals mooed and clucked nearby but no one seemed distracted. TKW team and the parents were focused and the message was simple and clear.

TKW team shared with villagers about their concerns of family disintegration in the area by giving a presentation on the foundation of the family, the challenge of children on the streets, the value of children and anti-Christian cultural practices.

The message was geared to instill positive message about family values, income-generating activities and empowerment of parents. These parents were also eager to find homegrown solutions to their issues.  TKW team was here to empower them with a new mindset and tools to move forward.  Both objectives were achieved judging by their feedback.

 

Listen to the feedback from the participants:

  “The awareness and behavior change in the community has been noticeable. The message is easily understood,” said James Orengo, who coordinates political meetings in the area”

“Many of the villagers, particularly the older, illiterate people are able to understand local issues through these presentations”… said Mercy Akoth

“In the future, we hope more young people will attend this training and join us because they are the future generation,” said Mrs. Ocholla.  Mary of TKW is training the group on soap making.

“After coming to this training, I am going back home empowered with the new knowledge we got here,” said Jack Omondi

Together with our partners, we are able to impact children, families and communities.  Thank you.