BlogStoriesStory of the Week
2013 was a fruitful year with 145 young children reconnected with their families. It is said that a tree matures in its fifth year. With this wisdom we recently set out to check the the progress of children who were removed from the streets five years ago.
We received mixed reactions: disbelief as well as joy that our concern was still warm and annoyance that we were reminding families of a difficult time they would rather forget. Overall the outcome was encouraging that we sparked positive change and brought hope to reluctant young people to return to school, absent parents to be more available and distant relatives to engage with struggling families. A few children gave up and returned to the streets while others dropped out of school. A few didn’t make it at all and are now dead and buried. We are glad we were there to offer hope when it mattered most. Thank you for your partnership.
CELEBRATING GOD’S FAITHFULNESS!
‘’ I thank God for Tumaini Kwa Watoto for supporting me throughout the past five years. When you took me home I thought it was the end of it. When you told me that you will visit me home again, I thought that you just wanted to convince me to go home. And yet you kept your word. You came when all was well. And you also came when I had joined bad company and was almost dropping out of school. My mother, a single mother of five children did not care whether I went to school or not. She was busy as the sole provider in the family. Dropping out of school reduced her financial burden and sometimes I had to work as a casual labourer to get money for school fees. It was at this point that I joined bad company and even started taking drugs. I did not see myself going through secondary school. At that time, TKW team visited me and paid my school fees. My life turned around and I improved in my performance tremendously. The head teacher allowed me to remain in school without paying school fees. This helped me to study without interruption. Today I am grateful to God and TKW for making my dream come true. I got a B+ in Kenya secondary Education Exams (KSCE) and I am joining University in September. Thank you.’’ said Richie
Njau had initial challenges after rescue but he later enrolled for a catering course in a vocational training centre. He acquired some life skills and he is now helping his mother to manage a food kiosk as well as run errands for their small business.
Joe was a product of absent parents who were out hassling to provide for their children. Without parental supervision, Joe continued to join other children from the slum to go to the streets to find food. But in in 2016 he went to his grandmother’s home and continued with school. After his father’s death in 2017, Joe dropped out of school while in secondary form two. Joe is at home helping his grandmother on their farm. Though Joe did not complete school, his life is much better that it would have been on the streets. He says that his main goal is to see his siblings go through school successfully. This is what motivates him to keep farming.
KEVO struggled with life after his parents separated. His mother left her three children with their grandmother. He soon run away to the streets to make a living for himself engaging with various activities like beginning, collected metal for and working at roadside café.
On rescue, we reunited Kevo with his grandmother but also contacted his dad to engage with his children. Shortly after, his father picked Kevo then17 years old, from his grandmother. He became an apprentice in his father’s metal workshop and he is now skilled in metal work. Whenever the father travels, Kevo is left in charge of the workshop. He is now a responsible adult and is surrounded by his family.
Never quit
Keith’s case was one that we had to persist with the unwavering support of his mother. He was rescued in May 2013 and we embarked on a long journey of eight hours to Western Kenya. His mother received him well in spite the rejection from her community. She tried everything with Keith to keep him in school. But five years down the line we got a sad report that the Keith dropped out of school and he is working as a casual labourer looking after livestock. It was disheartening because we had great expectations and we had invested much into his life – those long journeys (over 350 kilometres) to encourage and counsel but now he is only earning little pay. That’s life, we never quit or give up on any child!
Life for Etemesi was shattered. When we rescued him November 2013 because he was afraid of meeting the person who had abused him in his mother’s absence. But today he is preparing to sit for Kenya Certificate Primary of Education (KCPE) exams. He lives with his grandmother and his extended family has been very supportive.
Etemesi is motivated to work hard because he wants to become a doctor. His mother still works overseas but she is in regular contact with her children.