CATHERINE: LONELY AND ALONE

Catherine is 12, alone and lonely having lost both parents, grandparents and Aunt Rose whose addiction to alcohol led her to the streets.  We had to snatch her from the streets to a safe place.  “…caring for the orphans…in their distress…” leading to purposeful living.  Will you?

Catherine was born in Siaya County, near Lake Victoria, an only child of Boniface Odhiambo and Evelyn Achieng. She lost her father in 2010 at a tender age of nine years.   Catherine’s mum decided to go to Nairobi in search of greener pastures, leaving her daughter under the care of her grandparents.  Evelyn had promised to come back for her daughter when she got a job but this was not to be, she did not return home.

Catherine continued with her education while living with her grandparents who soon died leaving her under the care of various relatives.  But soon help was at hand. Her aunt Rose Otieno came to her rescue brought her to Nairobi and took her to a good school. But Aunt Rose lost her job leaving her very desperate this led Rose to seek solace from drinking which developed in to addiction making her abandon the responsibility of taking care of Catherine. Under all these circumstances, Catherine was no longer enjoying being a child like all other children. She would cook for herself and her aunt when food was available.  Without a job and alcohol addiction, Aunt Rose was no longer able to pay Catherine’s school fees.  Catherine dropped out of school and ended up on the streets to escape her aunt’s beatings.

We found a sad looking Catherine on the streets of Huruma estate in Nairobi in a desperate state. She was ready to go back to her relatives in Siaya.  We rescued her and travelled to Siaya.  There was joy and jubilation when her uncle’s wife saw us after an overnight journey to Seme, Siaya, she could not believe that her niece was back. They embraced each other “hello gamano nyasae” meaning thank you God.  Catherine was back home where she belongs.  One follow-up visit to Siaya will cost Ksh8455/=/$100/£80. Five people giving a monthly gift of £8/Kshs 1,200/$10 for three months will enable TKW Team to monitor Catherine’s progress. Educate a child.  Empower him/her for life. “…caring for the orphans…in their distress…” leading to purposeful living.  Will you?

Week 28 July 12, 2013