Stories of ‘LOST AND FOUND girls’.

What happens to the girls on the Streets?

Tumaini team has removed 224 children off the street since January 2017. We aim to rescue another 176 before end of this year making a total of 400 children…

It costs us Kshs 30,000/- (£220) to rescue one child from the streets as well make four family follow up visits. Our success rate is very encouraging – for every 100 children rescued from the streets, 96 will remain at home, join school or take vocational training and some who fall back will eventually return home.

Be part of the next rescue story…#TheNextRescue# Visit our donation page: www.kenyachildrenofhope.org

14 year old Ndisya Nduku says, “I was at home doing nothing because my family could not afford to pay my school fees. I had not planned to leave home but an urge to look for work and help myself pushed me. I ended up in Nairobi, lost on the streets and desperate. Tumaini team rescued me from the police who had arrested me on the streets and reintegrated my back with my family. They promised to find a way to keep me in school. Thank you Tumaini team for rescuing me and giving me hope”

Ruth Nasimiyu, 13 years old: An argument ensued between Ruth and her mother because of her step-father. Ruth was angry and she took Kshs 3000 (£22), joined a friend on a journey to Nairobi to look for her relatives. But this was not to materialize. Before even settling on the streets of Nairobi, a Good Samaritan forwarded her case to Tumaini team. She did not know where she was going to find her relatives. They rescued and reunited her with her family. The family had already reported to a police station near their home that Ruth was missing.

Sometimes it’s a case of Justice withheld!!

Sarah is the fourth born and a first born among the girls. She is a beautiful girl which made her vulnerable to fall into the hands of bad people.

She was sexually abused by an uncle who left for the dead. She was bleeding profusely when a neighbor found her in the bushes and rushed her to the hospital. She was treated and a court case was filed against her uncle. After the second hearing, her mother conspired with the uncle and he was released on bail. This was against the set law on rape case in Kenya and due to lack of proper legal support, Sarah’s justice was withheld.

Sara has both set of parents and 7 siblings but they lived in poverty. Her father worked as a casual laborer with a pineapple growing company away from home while their mother stayed at home with the children. They lived in a two-roomed house which is too small for the eight of them. Sara could not settle at home after her uncle was released on bail. Her father was helpless because his own brother who had raped his daughter was already conspiring with his wife. Sarah’s relationship with her mother was broken, and the uncle also kept threatening to kill her if she continues to appear in court as a witness.

A neighbor hosted Sarah for several months but asked Sarah to move out before school closed for August holiday. Since Sarah had nowhere else to go this neighbor sent her to Nairobi to look for her father. Sarah did not know about the big city. But a lady who was in the same bus with her offered her a place to sleep for the night as they looked for her father the following day. Tumaini team found a lost Sarah on the streets and they helped her find her father. He reported the case to a district children officer who promised to find a secure placement for her as they reopen the case.

Sara is currently in a children center where she is secure while her father and the District Children Officer are continuing with her case. Join us as we follow up this case until Sarah finds justice. Justice withheld is justice denied.

10 year-old Grace Wanjiru, had traveled from her upcountry home to visit her sister who lived in the city. She was excited about spending time with her sister in the city since this was her first visit. But her first weekend ended in a disaster. Her sister needed to meet up with her boyfriend as they were going to get married. They met at a nearby public park where she paid for Grace to enjoy a boat to the ride as her sister waited for her boyfriend. When Grace came back from her boat ride, her sister was gone and did not return. As darkness was quickly approaching, Grace was still there waiting for her sister to come back in vain. She broke down into tears as she had nowhere to go.

A policeman who was passing by approached her and asked her why she was out at night. Grace shared her predicaments and the officer took her into the children’s custody for a secure night. The police station contacted Tumaini team the following day who came and assessed her case. They found that Grace came from a dysfunctional family but her mother was contacted. She was very happy to receive her daughter back as she was not aware what had happened to her during the visit to her sister. Grace was reintegrated with her family where she is safe once again. We are monitoring Grace’s progress and we will keep you updated.

Veronicah: A desperate search for her mother led 13 year-old Veronica to the streets after stealing Kshs. 2200/-(£20) from a teacher. She had stolen 5000 (£38) but returned Kshs.2800 to the teacher after being punished and suspended from school.

Veronica lived with her grandmother who was required to pay back the remaining amount to the teacher. They did not know that she had hidden Kshs 2200/ (£ 20) to travel to Nairobi to look for her mother. She had not seen her mother for a year. Her adventure went horribly wrong. She got lost on the streets while looking for her mother. When Tumaini team rescued Veronica from the streets, her desire to find her mother was even stronger. With the help of the police, Tumaini team traced the family and found a mother was married elsewhere and moving on with her life. However, it was a great reunion for the mother and daughter. Veronica’s grandmother had already informed her that Veronica was out there looking for her. Another girl snatched from the perils on the streets!

Mary Nduku – Suffering from rejection and looking for acceptance

For 11 year Nduku, her mother gave birth to her when she was still in school and her grandmother brought her up to allow her mother to complete her education. However, the mother was not in a hurry to take up her parental responsibility for her child. It is 7 years since Nduku’s mother completed school, moved on, got married and now has three other children. She chose to forget her daughter.

Nduku did not know she had step siblings as she had been led to believe that her mother was dead. But one day a relative shared with Nduku that her mother was alive. This threw her off balance and wanted to know her mother. She wanted to meet her and get answers to many questions. However, the relatives were not ready to let her go, which led Nduku to sneaked out of the home at night with a few items for her long journey in search of her mother. Unfortunately, her journey ended on the streets where Tumaini team met her. Her home was home and relatives were found. They were already looking for her.

Her grandmother and family were happy to receive her and promised to continue taking care of her as they had done for 12 years. Tumaini team encouraged the relatives to find and connect Nduku with her mother to satisfy her desire for identity and for her mother to answer her many questions especially why she is not involved in her life. This will prevent Nduku from disappearing again.

Who am I? A question that the lost, the lonely and least of these children ask often. Tumaini team continue to monitor the progress of each one of the children rescued. Restoration and transformation of lives is what we are after. A family gives a child a point of reference and identity.

Tumaini team’s interaction with children and their families.Every child needs a family!

As we came to the end of June, 160 children had been rescued and reintegrated with their families in 2017. Most of them have been followed at home at least once – 320 journeys and counting! Below is just a taster…..

Meet smiling 14 year old Ken, in class four at Narumoru Primary School. His head teacher as well as his class teacher said he needs a lot of help with his studies. A vendor at Muthurwa market, Nairobi introduced him to Tumaini Team because he wanted to go back home and report to school. His restoration process began that day on the streets.

His mother shared with Tumaini Team recently that Ken needs a role model because his father works late leaving Ken with no guidance.  We hope that close monitoring and future discussion on the expectations of good parenting will help his parents.

Joe M’s story: After 10 years, this story encourages TKW team to go for another child…. Joe was rescued in 2007 after disappearing from an approved school and ended on the streets. We traced his family through the directions he gave us and he was enrolled back to school. Joe completed school and is now a working young man. He manages his own small business of motorcycle taxis to support his family.

Petro has a dream that almost died on the streets…. Six months ago Petro was in Joshua High School but dropped out due to lack of school fees. He ventured into the streets where he got a part time job of cleaning kiosks in the market hoping to earn enough money to go back home to help his single mother.He also wanted to go back to school.  But the harder he worked, the more he realized that his was a lost cause, whatever he earned only gave him food and a place to sleep. He did this for several months before Tumaini team took him back home.

Today Petro is at home with his mother and other siblings but hope of going back to school is proving to be a steep mountain to climb. He prays to God for an opportunity to fulfill his desire for education by going back to high school or to do a vocational course.  He is interested in mechanics, driving or welding courses.  20,000Kshs is enough to pay for any of these courses.Will you partner with Tumaini to enable Petro to venture into his dreams?

Alex’s grandmother struggles to raise her grandson. His mother is mentally challenged which meant that the responsibility for Alex {pictured here with TKW Team member, Maggie) fell on his grandmother.  Unfortunately, in 2016 she became very sick and could not take care of Alex anymore and he ended up on the streets. The streets became his home until Tumaini team rescued him and restored hope. A little support was offered to his grandmother to enable her to take care of him. His grandmother who suffers with diabetes and hypertension is on medication and she is looking better now. Tumaini team has followed Alex several times and he has settled in school(class three) and he is looking forward to better days ahead. We continue to walk alongside this family to provide stability for Alex.  Will you join us to empower this sickly grandmother?

Yet another grandmother carries responsibility for her granddaughter who is in transition to teenage…. Jackie is a twelve-year old girl and who lives with her grandmother while her mother works as a bar attendant in Nairobi. Jackie has been affected by negative peer influence,and she often goes for a whole day without notice and responds rudely to her teachers. Since her mum is absent, her teacher attributes this to behavioral adolescence stage as she faces identity crisis and looks for identity from her peers.

Tumaini team found her, rescued and reintegrated her with her grandmother. Jackie is back to class six in Mairi Primary school. She needs someone to understand, accept her in her mother’s absence.The guidance &counselor teacher in her school agreed to walk alongside her. There is also good news that Jackie’s mother has been in touch with them recently to say she will be visiting. ‘This call has brought positive change in Jackie,’ her grandmother says. We pray that Jackie will settle smoothly at home.  There is great hope for Jackie.

Kevo W’s story summarizes the cry of every child to have a place to belong: Kevo’s parents separated and he was left under the care of his grandmother. He has found it difficult to fit with extended family since his reintegration from the streets, but his extended family are helping him to feel accepted and giving him a sense of belonging by engaging him with the family’s activities.

His uncle is giving him guidance as he is back in school.  When Tumaini team visited him recently, they found that he has been attending school regularly but has not yet caught up with the syllabus. His parents have not yet been found.

Erick Muchiri – children should be listened to as well as seen

Erick was upset when his parents asked him to repeat class 8 after he attained marks to join high school. His parents could not afford high school fees and felt that another year would give them ample time to save toward Eric’s high school fees. Eric decided to join the streets where Tumaini team found him and reunited him with family.

Tumaini team feel that parents need to consult their teenage children when making major decisions because this decision by Erick’s parents almost destroyed their son’s life and future. Eric is now in Form one through a government fund which met his school fees. He solved the grievances with his parents and today he is focused on his education.

Martin Mo –Who shall support this family?

When we met Mo on the streets of Nakuru, he explained, ‘I came to streets because I wanted to be in school but my mother was struggling to feed and educate us. Furthermore, my father went to Nairobi to look for work but didn’t come back.’

When Tumaini team met Mo, he had had enough.  He had faced many challenges on the streets and wanted to go back home and back to school. We discussed with his mother about school when we reunited Mo with his mother but during first follow up he had not yet joined school due to lack of funds. His mother promised to take him back to school soon when funds are available.

13 year Chris left his home because there was not enough money to feed all 6 siblings and pay school fees. He felt he was being a burden to his father and decided to go to the city to find a way to change their situation. He became one among many children living on the streets of Nairobi: sleeping out in the open, forced to beg for food and to make ends meet.

Thanks to Tumaini team support, Chris was reunited with his family 2 months later after they met him on the streets feeling hopeless.  He is in class 6 and making the most of this opportunity.  His dad is doing his best to keep his children in school but needs continued empowerment. Tumaini team is working towards seeing every child in a functional family.Chris says, “I don’t want to go back to the streets. I would like to help support my family”.

 

 

Desperate and hopeless was the best way to describe Josephine’s situation.  Her husband had provided for his family until he got ill and died within a short time.  Josephine was also sick, a widow and with no hope for her four children.  Her husband’s relatives took away their piece of land and their house leaving them homeless.  Jose & Paulo, 12 & 10 decided to look for help and landed on the streets.

We met these two boys and walked them back home where we were faced by their desperate situation.  Josephine had tried doing casual jobs to provide for her children but couldn’t keep up with the rent for the small room she occupied with her family.  The landlord had locked her out, she was out of medication and couldn’t afford a balanced diet.  TKW team that took Jose and Paulo home pleaded with their landlord to open their house.  They promised to pay the rent arrears and help the children go back to school.

One of our partners received a story, like the one you are reading today, in January 2016 and wanted to know how she could help.  She gave a gift to buy the children school uniform and pledged to give £50 a month for six month.  This was a miraculous provision for a family who could barely put food on the table.  Rent arrears were paid, school requirements were bought and Josephine could put food on the table for her children.

Fast forward June 2017: Several months ago, these children and their mother were without hope, but through TKW and the encouragement of their community, they can look forward to a better future.  Josephine, who was seriously ill, is now back on her feet and beginning to provide for her family. The owner of the land which was purchased last month has been gracious enough to this family by offering them a piece of land to plant their own crops for food and a room for their comfort. All the children have been transferred to a school near the land and enrolled back in to Miambani Primary school. The children are doing well and have settled at new home and new community/school.

A quarter acre piece of land has been purchased from the balance of the money that was invested into this family last year. The local administration and the community will help Josephine begin to build a home for her children.  From a small gift, this family has been transformed. We will continue to follow this family’s progress with great expectation.

‘I am so thankful for the tender support from Tumaini Kwa Watoto for considering me to attend this camp. While at Diguna I learnt a lot and I am going to respond by actions.  Thank you TKW team for picking us from town, paying our fares and taking us to such a wonderful place.   Thank you, 1,000 times. Your investment in me is not in vain.’  Says 18 -year old Musa (not real name) who five year ago was on the streets but he is preparing for KCSE this year (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education).

Empower and Transform through mentoring: Joyful songs around the campfire and a tug-of-war to encourage teamwork. Lots and lots of laughter, fun and games. We are always looking for ways to empower and build our children to maximize their potential at Tumaini Kwa Watoto.  April 2017 camp at Diguna Retreat Centre was the highlight of April holidays for some of our high school students.  Equipping them with bible based life skills was part of the week’s program.  For TKW team, it was an encouraging week of seeing the faith of the students transformed as the week progressed and filling their hearts with God’s word and life changing experiences.  This is what they had to say about the week:

Joni: ‘’I enjoyed making new friends.  I appreciated all the spiritual guidance I received as a student there, from my counselors and the other staff.  I learned a lot about the word of God and how I am to apply it to my life.  I say thank you 10,000 times”.

AIC Diguna is an amazing place to learn about God, discover friendships and do many fun activities.  It was a great week I learned how to abstain from sex, drugs and putting boundaries in life.  I interacted with other students and learned from them. The only thing I can do to prove this promise is to show it by actions.  Famu

Deno 18 years old and in Form 4, had this to say ‘’ It has been interesting being taught God’s word.  The program began after taking breakfast, we would go to the chapel to worship and afterwards move to our groups.   I learned how to avoid bad company, (Ephesian 5:15), how to put God first in everything, sexual purity and setting boundaries.   I am so thankful for giving me an opportunity to attend the camp.

‘Thank you for taking me to AIC Diguna. It made a profound impact in my life, as a young man I learned about God.  I felt challenged on how to be a better Christian and this is going to change my life.  D.G.

Pete is another one who is so grateful for considering him to attend the camp at AIC Diguna, he wishes to be given another chance.  It was a wonderful opportunity.

Cheri, a form 0ne student:  ‘it was awesome taking me to a camp.  I learned creating boundaries is important, the power in the words of my mouth and self-awareness.  If I was not given this opportunity I would have not learnt all this. I am so thankful and looking forward to another chance.

Musal, a Form 4 student had this to say, ‘I am so thankful for the tender support from Tumaini Kwa Watoto for considering me to attend the camp. While at Diguna I learned a lot and I am going to respond by actions.  Thank you TKW team for picking us from town, paying our fares and taking us to such a wonderful place.   Thank you, 1,000 times. Your investment in me is not in vain.

“I’m so happy that my nephew received a whole week of spiritual counseling and guidance and counseling to enhance his life– with the dedicated people that you had at your camp to promote their well-being. Our children are learning very valuable lessons in this troubled world. So many other children are going in the wrong direction — children that don’t have the church, school and good people to teach them right and wrong. Thank you so much for making a difference in our children’s lives.’ – Aunty Eliza.

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.’

22^nd 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.

 

“Education means everything to most children.  When I was in primary school, I couldn’t get enough reading materials. Finding books to read was a challenge.  I would borrow books from other pupils who could afford them and read around the fire late into the night.   I wanted to work hard to join a government funded high school.  When my dream came true, I couldn’t afford the school fees.  Every new school term I would go back to school crying.  No pocket money and no school fees….my father had spent school fees money on his addiction to alcohol and smoking.  O how I thank God for my dear mama who did everything to keep me in school!  She would come and plead with the head-teacher to allow me to continue to study while she went to look for school fees.  I long to see every child access education.  Education has opened many doors for me”, writes Lydiah

Rose, a child taking care of younger siblings …..For over 7 years she took care of her siblings after her parents separated and her mother remarried.  Her father also disappeared and started another family far away from home.  Home alone, she became a bread earner overnight.  She still managed to do her KCPE exams while employed as a house help.  She was going to school during the day and working in the evening.  She enrolled in form one the following year and paid her school fees. Talk about resilience and determination right there!

As things got worse, Rose had to think of ways to earn more money.  A cousin found her a job as a house help in Nairobi.  The promise of more money didn’t materialize.  She found herself on the streets, alone and vulnerable.  Her employer has chased her without paying her for her hard work.   TKW team met Rose at a police station where a Good Samaritan had taken her. Her relatives couldn’t believe their eyes when Rose arrived with strangers. Yet they were grateful as they welcomed Rose back home.

Jacob, Rose’s paternal uncle said, “As a family we feel ashamed for watching Rose suffer, drop out of school and travel to Nairobi to work as a house help. As a community we have failed for we did nothing to help, blaming her irresponsible father. Today you have opened our eyes, you are strangers and have helped Rose who is not related to you. We will work together to see that Rose is back in school.”

“Thank you so much TKW team. I cannot believe that I will go back to school. At last God has heard the cry of my heart’’, said Rose as she cried for joy. Rose needs school fees and upkeep to join school next year.

Thank you for listening to the genuine cry of children like Javan …somebody, anybody, please be the answer to their cry.  You will be making an eternal investment and changing a life forever.

Javan said, “Please, Sponsor me: I need school fees but my mum is unsettled financially and my father is ill.”  Javan’s father was working as driver for years and faithfully provided for his family, then he had a mental breakdown.  He has not recovered and that threw the family to chaos.  Javan had to drop out of school and his mother sent him to his uncle (mother’s brother) who works as a night guard in Nairobi to look for help. Unfortunately his uncle was unable to help and slowly Javan’s hope of going back to school vanished.  He started going to the streets to find odd jobs to supplement his uncle’s income.  One day he was arrested by city council officials and taken to Bahati government rehab centre where we met him.  He agreed to go back home to his mother.

His mum said, “It is humiliating to admit as a parent you are not able to pay for your child’s school fees.  Every term I would ring Javan’s teacher to share our challenges. Teachers were kind to Javan and I.   This support was priceless but it soon came to an end.   Javan had to drop out of school for school fees arrears.  Please help him to get back to school”.   Javan needs Kshs 12,000/100 pounds per term to keep him in school.

15 year old Irene Wambui says, “I NEED SCHOOL FEES” She is the firstborn in a family of three children. She was attending St. Francis Secondary School in Gilgil where she lives with her family, three hours’ drive from Nairobi. She had scored 301 marks in her KCPE exam that enabled her to join Form 1.
Irene had only stayed on the streets for a week before TKW team rescued her. She shared the difficulties at home and of living on the streets as a girl, “every street boy wanted to be my friend. I really regret running to the streets and now I want to go back home.”
Irene had a fee balance and her parents sent her back to school without any money. The school admin wanted the school fee balance paid before admitting her back to school. She was sent back home but Irene came to the streets to look for help instead of going home.
TKW team took her home and encouraged her parents to present their challenge to the school administration. She was allowed back to school but school fee arrears of Kes 36, 000/= or 300 pounds is still outstanding. Irene aspires to be a doctor and promised to work hard.

TKW team rescued Eric Muturi in 2014 and reunited him with his mum in Kasarani, Nairobi.  She worked nearby but had a mental breakdown.  She walked away from her son, left him on his own in a rental house with no rent and no food.

Eric is another child who found himself on the streets out of desperation. He now lives with his grandmother but he needs school fees and upkeep.  He is sitting for KCPE this year and hoping to join high school in 2017.   He will need sponsorship to access further education.  This is our child fallen on hard times…