Blog
Henry was a 7-year-old boy that we rescued from the streets in 2015. He was on the streets of Nairobi and on the day of rescue, he asked if we could also rescue his two sisters on the streets of Nakuru. 3 siblings were on the streets!
We have made many journeys with children rescued from vulnerable situations and the streets. Listen to the story of Henry and his siblings’ transformation, a true expression of God’s love for them. Our friends and partners like you make these journeys possible.
Henry and his siblings were orphaned at a young age; the family was internally displaced during tribal crashes. They were living with their maternal. The family was forced to pack their modest belongings and change their location due to the ongoing conflict in their home county.
They became squatters in Nakuru County and settled in a slum area. But before life could stabilize, Henry had joined other children loitering on the streets to scavenge for foods. His two older sisters were on the streets too. They were further displaced and scattered.
We met Henry during one of our outreaches to children on the streets of Nairobi. This was the beginning of a long transforming journey with Henry and his family. The little boy said how he always thought he would be trapped forever in the dangerous streets of Nairobi. His encounter with Tumaini team changed his destiny. He was ready to go back home and join school.
We tracked down Henry’s two older sisters on the streets of Nakuru town and rescued them. Henry and his sisters were happily reunited with their grandmother. But the grandmother screamed when she saw her grandchildren she screamed for joy and by the burden of feeding three more mouths.
How could she feed them?
But we offered to address the issues that had pushed the children to the streets: food, education, and safety they deserved as children.
We shared the story of this family with our friends and partners. One family was so moved by the story that they pledged to give a monthly gift towards this family’s support. Their grandmother was the primary caregiver for these children, and she was committed to their success.
Over time, and thanks to the diligence of our social workers, community support systems and our partners, Henry and his siblings began to make progress in their lives.
We kept regular contacts with this family; since their return home in February 2015; Henry has not only survived, but thrived at home and in school. He completed his primary education in December 2022 and got good marks to secure a place in a secondary school. Henry joined high school in Form one this year at a boarding school, all his school fees paid, and personal needs were met. Thank you for walking with Henry and his family.
The Girls,
The girls thrived too. They completed their primary, and high school education. One of them joined college and graduated with a certificate in catering.
She is now self-employed.
This is hope restored and lives transformed. Without your partnership, they would have faced a dark future with no opportunity to break free from this cycle of poverty.
Henry and his sisters are thankful for the opportunity they were given to come off the streets and back home with their family and to pursue their dreams.
