Celebrate with us. 1000 children off the streets and back with their families!

Tumaini’s number one priority is getting the children back home and back to school.  Every child living or loitering on the streets has a reason for being there and not by chance. TKW team is alert whenever we spot a child walking on the streets. James had two reasons for being on the streets.  His parents were separated and he didn’t have a place to call home.  His teachers had also forced him to repeat class 7 than joining class 8. He said: “When we get home please remember to tell my dad and my grandmother I want to go to class 8.

James’ grandmother welcomed us home. After a lengthy introduction, she accompanied us to James’ school. TKW team pleaded his case and he was allowed to join class 8 as he had requested. He was also attached to a school counselor for ongoing guidance.

Fast forward…..James is slowly adjusting to life at home. He is running errands for the family as he reconnects with his younger siblings. He has joined the young people’ group in church where they practice dancing. He is also preparing for KCPE in November 2016 and his teachers are encouraging him to work hard.

We thank our friends and partners for empowering TKW team to walk 1000 children back home to their families.

“Thank you for your encouragement and support to my family. I was sick in hospital but you have helped us.  This has been a great comfort to us and has made our burdens lighter. May God bless you.” Josephine said.

 I am grateful for your encouragement, love, and support that you have given us. I was sick in hospital but you have helped us with what we needed.  This has been a great comfort to us and has helped to lighten our daily burdens.   May God bless you.” Josephine said emotionally

Josephine’s children have grown up with moments of pain and shame brought on by poverty.  Sometimes they have little or no food.  At times their house has been locked due to rent arrears.   It is painful to see their loving mum unwell and crying for help holding onto her children to console her.

Spreading the love- Time is now: In January 2016, TKW team shared Josephine’s story after we returned her two sons, Paul Mutinda and Joe Mutende back home from the streets. You responded to their cry for help.

Last week, we delivered food to this family; we paid three months’ rent arrears.  We also paid some of the school requirements for Mutinda and Mutende. Yet 1 in 8 people go to bed hungry every night….

10 years old, Vanessa Wanjiru has a dream of becoming a doctor yet she was on the streets begging for food and money to go back to school.  have to survive while dad does casual jobs to make ends meet.

Spreading the love- Time is now: In January 2016, TKW team shared
Josephine’s story after we returned her two sons, Paul Mutinda and Joe Mutende back home from the streets. You responded to their cry for help. Last week we delivered food to this family and we paid three months’ rent arrears.  We also paid some of Mutinda & Mutende’s school requirements.

Life is challenging for single mothers and their children with no regular income. Muema’s
mum needs our support. Hands up not hand outs. 

Mary Nduta shared her story passionately during a recent TKW fundraising dinner.  She said look at me, “I was raised in Kiamaiko slum, I raised my children in the slums, then my husband left me to raise 6 children on my own.  But things changed when I met TKW team.  My son Gaitano was loitering on the streets and involved with gangs. I had just lost my eldest son because of his involvement with gangs. I had lost hope and didn’t know what to do with my children who were becoming rebellious. TKW team rescued Gaitano from the streets and brought him back home to Kiamaiko slum.  They later invited me with other parents to a seminar on how to parent our children at Tumaini’s Bethany Halfway house.  They gave me hope that things could change.

Possibilities: Later they asked if there was any possibility of moving my family upcountry for the sake of my children.  I approached a relative in Gatundu and he agreed to give me a small plot of land to build a house on TKW Team raised money through their friends. They built me a house and relocated my family from Kiamaiko Slum in Nairobi to Gatundu in 2012.  A group of women from Nairobi Chapel donated second hand clothes and I started a small business.  With the little money that I was making, I could feed my children and I also started buying chicks.  With a gift of Kshs.5,000/£30, I added my chicks and my business started growing. I had to sell them due to a disease outbreak in the area. I used the money to buy a calf, built a shelter for it and gave it feeds from there. Gaitano and my other children were back to school and they gradually adjusted to their new environment.   My son, Gaitano is now 15 years old and in class 8.  He is working hard in school to achieve the best marks to join secondary school next year.” Since Gaitano joined primary school in September 2012 he has remained in position 1- 3 in his class. There is great hope that Gaitano will excel.

During a recent fundraising dinner for TKW, Mary shared her story. Mary continues, ‘My children and I are now well settled and healthy.  They all help with the household chores and farm work.  My business has grown and I recently loaned my neighbor some money from my small savings.  When he couldn’t repay it back, he offered me a goat instead.  The goat later delivered twins.  I thank God that this far he has brought me and my family.  I thank Tumaini Kwa Watoto and their friends.”

Above: The home that TKW team together with our partners built for this family

Four years ago Mary and her children were living in Kiamaiko slum. Today they are happy that they have their own house and toilet in their own small compound.  Her children are growing in a secure environment.  This family has moved from hopelessness and poverty in the slum to purposeful living.  Mary is dreaming of a better future for her and her children. Mary has made huge progress through continued counseling and support by TKW team.  Look what can happen with little resource placed in the right hands.  Mary Nduta is a hardworking mum who grabbed her opportunity with both hands.  Her local church has given this family spiritual and social support.  Mary & her children have engaged with life in their community.  Do you want to partner with us to move another families from poverty to purposeful living?  Your gift of Kshs 3,000-5,000 (£20-50) could be the difference between poverty and purposeful living.

Do you have a desire that would make you do everything in your power to pursue it? John had a strong fantasy of exploring the city of Nairobi one day to the extent of taking a risk to steal Kshs500 from his mother’s jacket for a ticket to the city.

12 year old John Mbugua grew up with his family, grandparents and his community.  Yet the actualized dream earned him a title of a street child.  TKW team found John standing next to a bus that travels to his home.  He said, “Will you help me return home?”  He had had enough of struggles on the streets. He was eager to return home in our company and had no reason for being on the streets.

John’s parents and relatives were grateful as they received him back home. His family shared that John had disappeared before. They restrained him by taking him to a boarding school which didn’t stop him dreaming of exploring the city.

John’s family didn’t his understand behaviour because the other children in this home are all doing well. ”John, why do you want to show our nakedness to the outside world?  What have we not given you?” His grandmother grilled John in a distressed voice. John had nothing to say to his grandmother’s questions. He was remorseful and apologised to his family. We pleaded with his family to give him another chance.

John is a go getter!  He had a dream of visiting the city and took the risk to pursue it.  We need to support him with counselling, education and monthly follow ups.  John is ready for a new beginning of pursuing a new dream.

With love and compassion you can impact one child, John. Each follow up visit costs Kshs 6000/£40 and we need to monitor John’s progress for the next three months. Together everyone achieves more.

I thank God every time I remember you.  I always pray for you with joy because of your partnership…” Phil 1:4-5

Just a haircut 

Vivian is a 12-year-old girl who was scampering around the streets; dirty feet from picking up dust along unpaved streets and an empty stomach. And yet, she walks, runs and plays without a care in the world.

Vivian comes from a stable family.  She does not take discipline positively and this time she was on her second week out on the streets. Her mother had shaved her hair to bring correction for keeping bad company.  But neither poverty nor parent separation that bring most children to the streets could have contributed to Vivian’s disappearance from home to the streets.

We found Vivian’s family in a concrete home in the Embu County. Her parents have had their share of hardships but that hasn’t changed their belief that with a lot of hard work and opportunity, their daughter can have a better life.

“We were trying to track Vivian’s whereabouts and right now we were going to post her photos in the nearby town. This is a miracle that just happened, Vivian is found. Maybe we have been hard on her but now we will love and try another form of discipline.”  Vivian’s mother promised.

We got a report a week later that Vivian has settled into her family and she is bonding with the other children in school. TKW will monitor Vivian’s progress for the next three months. Will you enable us to restore broken relationships?

Will the ends ever meet?

10 years old, Vanessa Wanjiru has a dream of becoming a doctor yet she was on the streets begging for food and money to go back to school.  No mum and no food, Vanessa and her two younger sisters have to survive while dad does casual jobs to make ends meet.  Will the ends ever meet?

A timid 10-year-old Vanessa says: “We lived in Nakuru up to late last year, 2015 with our mother while my father worked in a farm in Thika.  Another man often came to our home without my father’s knowledge. He would often come drunk, beat us and tell us to go find our father.  One day we decided to run away until my father came back.  My father came h0me as he did every month and didn’t find us at home. My parents had a heated disagreement.  My father was very angry and separated with my mother.  It is four months since my mother left my two younger sisters and me under the care of my father. “Vanessa’s father took charge of his family and move his three daughters from Nakuru to Thika where he works.

Vanessa was on the streets begging for food and money to supplement her father’s income as well as to pay for school requirements. It was her first day on the streets of Nairobi. A friend from the streets of Thika had brought her to beg and then go back home in the evening. We took Vanessa home to meet with her father to understand their challenges. Her father was out working, we phoned him and he shared his challenges but admitted he had no idea that his daughter was on the streets.  He promised to find his daughter another school although he is financially challenged.

Vanessa concluded “My father works hard but sometimes we go to sleep without food. I pray to God that one day my mother will come back so that we can all be a family again.

Will you help me get education?  I would like to become a doctor or a teacher and help other people especially children to get a better life.”

Vanessa needs– new school uniform and other basic school requirements like books. All these will cost Kshs.10,000 (£80). Will you partner with us to move forward Vanessa’s dream of becoming a doctor?

Adventurous 14 years old Dorcas said, “Follow me to the city.

 Dorcas shared with 11 year old Susan about their exciting venture.  “We will leave before dawn, so dress up in a pair of trousers and put our school uniform on top so that no one gets to question us.” Dorcas shared in whispers to Susan the night before and said that she knew Nairobi well. Dorcas said she had an auntie who could host them while in the city.

Both girls come from the same area, from single parents and humble background. Dorcas in class eight wanted to explore city life and needed someone to go with her. She appears confident and managed to influence 11 year old Susan, a class four girl who is shy.  “She influenced me to leave for the streets!”  11 year old Susan exclaimed. When they got to Nairobi, they couldn’t find Dorcas’ auntie. They survived for two months begging to get food, but they were still reluctant to return home for fear of being punished.

As we related with them on the streets, their hearts softened and they asked us not to leave them on the streets. “Please take us to our parents in Embu County. We know they are looking for us and they will care for us.” They said. The girls still had their books and lunch boxes as this was a plan to distract their parents.

On reaching Embu County, we found that their parents had reported of the disappearance of their children to the police station. They prayed and hoped that their children would be kept safe. The villagers streamed in to see their girls’ return.  What a joy and shock that the girls would leave their safe homes and go to dangerous places unaccompanied! “I could hardly eat nor sleep.  My heart was troubled that I might not see our girls again.” Dorcas mother tearfully.

Dorcas’ mother was grateful that the girls had been found by loving people. The girls asked to be forgiven by their parents. They were willing to resume school.  TKW team will monitor their progress for three months and seek to restore relationships with their families and community.  Your partnership is greatly appreciated.

Thanksgiving and prayers: We give thanks that these girls were removed from the streets before they got sucked to life on the streets.  Pray that they will settle back home without any huge challenges.  Pray that we will identify the right people to support them and their families.

Joel Mbutu, 12 years old:  A malnourished orphan for lack of food

Joel & his sister are orphans who live with their grandfather.  “All I wanted was some food in my stomach.  Hunger made me to venture to the streets.  Lack of food at my grandfather’s house worried me.  We used to have one meal of maize and beans at school. It was often the only meal for the day and at times my sister and I would sleep hungry.” Joel shared this as the TKW team were taking him home. His grandfather confirmed that it was his first time to be on the streets. He told us that they looked for him everywhere including reporting to the police station.  Joel was reintegrated back home by TKW team.

When there is poverty at home, children are the ones who pay the highest price of inequality among us. If we join hands together to help, each one of these children can enjoy basic necessities of life.

Joel requested us to plead for his readmission and go with his grandfather to his former school.   The school administration were happy to re-admit him. “I’m pleased with the outcome because now I have another chance to pursue my dreams.” The teachers shared about an ongoing project that started this year. The project has the local administration’s support. They will supply foodstuff to needy children.  Joel & his family will enjoy the benefits of this project.

Joel has been on the streets since last September 2015.  This was when there was a teachers strike in Kenya which meant that children stayed at home.  Joel & his sister missed the school lunch which kept them going.  Joel found it difficult to cope without the school lunch. The little food his grandfather provided was not enough to sustain him and his sister.  He thought things would be better on the streets, but things didn’t work out for Joel.

Joel requires his education needs met and other bare necessities of life. Would you consider supporting Joel’s grandfather to give his grandchildren daily food and education?

My heart weeps for such little ones.  TKW team met with Emmanuel on the streets after he run away from his paternal grandparents’ place.  He came to look for his brother and his mother.  It was a timely rescue for him because he hadn’t been long on streets of Nairobi alone. As we talked with him, we asked, “Why are you not in school?’’ Emmanuel responded by sharing his story.  This made us think about how we could help him find his way back home. Emmanuel shared with us that he was looking for his family. “I am looking for my brother and my mother. I want my mum. I wonder if someone could help me trace them.” Last week we found his mum who was happy to receive her son back but the family is very needy. She said, “I was not feeling well for some time after separation with Emmanuel’s father. Please assist me with school fees as I pick up and get organized to look for a job.”

Please partner with us to empower this family: Emmanuel, mother & her children need you.  Will you a partner with Children of Hope Tumaini Kwa Watoto to give Emmanuel hope and a future?  Emmanuel needs school uniform and school requirements of Kshs 6,000 (£42).  His mum would like to start a small business with Kshs. 10,000 (£80).

Rejection drove him to the streets…Only 10 years, Godrick Mjomba is adventurous

TKW team took Godrick for a cup of tea and Mandazi (doughnut) when they met him on the streets. He shared his reason for coming to the streets. ’’I came to find my mother.”  His mother abandoned him when he was little in a relative’s home to go look for work as a house help. Godrick’s grandparents later decided to bring him under their custody. Godrick was born out of wedlock and he does not know his father who could provide his upkeep.

Godrick has a strong desire for adventure just like any boy of his age. TKW team met him when he was fresh from the village.   It wasn’t difficult to convince him to open up and share his story.  He still had his books intact a good sign that school held a key place in his heart.

His grandparents said that his mother started rejecting him since his was born. She showed him no affection and it wasn’t a surprise that she abandoned him. Godrick has not seen his mother for four years and he had started feeling the void of a mother’s love.  After listening to him, we offered to take him back home to his grandparents.  He was hesitant for fear of being punished for leaving home without permission.  His grandfather was at home and welcomed us. “I do not understand why Godrick ran away. “Godrick’s grandfather said to us.

Godrick will go back to school soon and we will visit him regularly to help him settle at home. This costs 6,000 Kshs (£42) per every home visit. We’ll also continue to look for his mother before he embarks on mission ‘find mum’ again. Every child needs a functional family!

Why does a mother abandon her child?

Alex Muturi Aged: 12 year old asks.

Sad, confused, hurt, and numb:- There are many reasons why children wind up on the streets  but no reason is good. Promises of security, sense of belonging, desperation and many more pave the road to the streets. In Alex’s case it was all of those. When he was met by the TKW team, he spoke of his life before joining the streets as a time of suffering, abusive and discrimination.

“When I needed a mother, she was not there to talk to me about life. I started running away at the age of 9. I felt like my mother didn’t want me around. She never showed me love and affection so I turned to the streets.” My mum once told me “you will have to go look for your irresponsible father or else you become like him one day…we cannot live in the same house. It is either you go or I will go…” she followed through with what she said. I was at school when I came home and the house was empty. She had relocated without me. My whole life crumbled and nothing else mattered anymore. Our family was shattered!!!” He still had his school uniform several months later on the streets since his mother’s disappearance.

As the TKW team related with him, Alex kept asking them why his mother moved far away, and it made his tears flow. However, he was ready to go back to his extended family and he agreed to take the team to his grandparents place. However, the most unjust part is that the journey to Alex’s grandparents’ home began on the streets.

“I knew my grandparent loved me but had no way of travelling there and thus joined the streets as one who had no family. Meeting TKW team helped Alex get his life together. They convinced him that he was worthy to live life as a productive member of society and he was not a bad person. Alex was ready to go home to his grandparent. After months on the streets, his heart had begun the journey of healing. He always looked forward to a time he could give a real smile.

Alex was reunited with his grandfather who was pleased to see his grandson. His grandmother had passed on several weeks earlier.

“We have been trying to trace Alex since the day we were informed that the mother had relocated leaving her son behind and today we are grateful,” Alex’s grandfather concluded

For Alex, leaving the streets was not easy and life at home isn’t easy either. But one thing is sure: He has a second chance. His dream is that he will have a new story for his life, continue with his education and pursue his dream. His current family is needy and may not be able to provide for his basic needs but he has a roof on his head.

Alex needs a new school uniform which will cost 2000Kshs, other school requirements of 4000Kshs, basic needs every other month of 3000Kshs. Follow up visits to Alex to monitor his progress 6000Kshs/£50 per visit.

TKW Team is encouraged that Alex and 20 others are off the streets and back home with their families in February 2016. Kindly partner with us bring healing to Alex and help him to start dreaming again

“IT’S BY GOD’S GRACE THAT WE LIVE.” said the two boys’ mum

Brothers: 12 years old Joseph Mutinda & 10 years old Paul Mutende     

TKW team met Josephine through her two sons after they strayed from home, ending up on the streets and were rescued. She is terminally ill and shared with us that the illness had progressed significantly toward the end of last year making her health to deteriorate. Her husband had just passed away from the same illness. Her relatives deserted her and took away every possession they owned.

“It hurt me because they carried away everything and sold the land my late husband had left for us leaving us with only the cooking sticks, pots and  knives.” “There was nothing left for me and my 6 children…” The days that followed were even more difficult, “I don’t how we have survived with rent to pay, children to feed, and no income at all. It’s by God’s grace that we live.” Josephine said. 

Josephine and her children then moved into a one room rental house.  This one room is their kitchen, dining room and bedroom for her, 3 daughters below 8 years and 3 sons below 15 years old.  Josephine told to us how her 2 sons ended up on the streets without her realizing and this too has added to her stress. She is a mother who passionate about her children and with a soft voice she told the team: “My sons, Mutinda and Mutende became explorers. They began visiting the markets to look for fruits and bringing left overs food home for us to eat. I couldn’t stop them. They were genuinely helping me but when they disappeared for a month I started worrying. The chief had even warned me but I had no one to help me. All my children want is to be in school but I was unable to pay their school fees and buy them new uniforms.” Josephine admitted

Mutinda & Mutende were happy to be back home and their mother gladly received her children. We pleaded with the Head Teacher to give these two boys a chance as we find a solution as to how this family could be supported. Their mother does casual work of washing other people’s clothes but the doctor warned her that spending much time in the water is affecting her health.

This family need their basic need met.  “See all these medication and without a balance diet, will I live to see my children grow up?” Asked Josephine sadly, showing us her medication.

Josephine is part of a local women’s support group that looks out for each other.  She also pleaded with us to assist her financially to begin a grocery shop instead of washing clothes for people. She said the cost of the small business £100 to start and this would enable her stay healthier to take care of children. 5 of her children are ready for school and some who dropped out of school like Mutinda and Mutende and needs school uniforms costing £60.  The monthly rent for the single room is £20.  Please walk with this family for six months with a monthly gift of £25 to help Josephine gain her health, set up her business and care for her children.  Regular support will enable Josephine to build her business and save her profit to grow the business. Restoring and empowering families giving children a secure future!

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We rushed from one supermarket to the next, from one family to another carrying good news! Smiles and tears of joy flowed freely.  One family didn’t know what they were going to eat that day. TKW encounters families living in poverty and lack of basic needs most of their lives. But many of them received food buckets which will enable them to experience the true essence of Christmas season – sharing love in action, laughter and joy. You, our partners brought smiles and joy to families with a Bucket-Full of shopping!

Response from the families: “You are messengers of hope!”

Emmanuel Kiprono’s father: “Thank you for making my son’s Christmas wishes comes true. My son slept with an empty stomach last night. There are no words to describe how grateful I am for everything you have done for my family. You have brought joy to us this Christmas. We’ll celebrate because someone cared enough to share. I send more love to your families than your hearts can contain.”

Martin Mwangi’s aunt…“I am humbled by the kindness of people who do not even know us. It leaves me with mixed feelings both happy and sad and wishing I was in the position of giving rather than on the receiving end.”

Stephen Karuga’s mother:”We have no words to express our gratitude. You are so kind and you put so much love and effort into the shopping. Everything looks like a dream. This is amazing! Thank you for giving us this memorable Christmas!”

Wekesa’s family:”There are no words to describe the feelings of gratitude upon receiving your gifts for my family. This blessing is overwhelming. This is just what our family needed. I was not expecting such love and kindness.”

Stephen Njoroge: “We will always remember your generosity. You are an inspiration for others to do good in the community. I hope one day we will be able to give back to other families in need. Thank again you for supporting us because you have saved my family when we had nothing!”

Martin Kangethe’s mother: “Without the kindness and warmth from of Angels like you, I can’t imagine what a sad Christmas my children would have. Thank you for your kindness in enabling me gives my children a chance to continue to believing in a God who provides.”

Joseph Kamau’s family:”My children and I appreciate the effort that you have made in this busy and often stressful time of the year. We appreciate not only the generous gifts but the time you taken to walk from the supermarket in order to do shopping for us.”

Anthony’s mother: “The thought of whether I would be able to make Christmas celebration happen was stressful. Thanks to all your thoughtful gifts, I thank God that that stress has been replaced with tears of joy. You have made a difference in our lives and I am eternally grateful. Your kindness has made all the difference. I thank God for you”

Hilary’s family -“We are in shock for your generosity with all this shopping…. Honestly, I cannot put into words how grateful we are to you for reaching out to us this holiday season and making our Christmas a wonderful and memorable time. My husband and I had a difficult year financially and it would have been a sad Christmas for our three children.”

Celebrate, it’s Christmas.  Care to share, it’s a season of goodwill to all men.  TKW team brought good news with bucket-fulls of food that many of these families could only dream of.  Together we made their dreams come true!  “Thank you for giving us this memorable Christmas.” Said one family.