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…

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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

 

 

That smile tells his story.

Dominic Nderitu comes from a very poor background and in an environment where only animals should survive.  He lives with his father and grandmother along the corridor of Samburu game reserve in Laikipia which is undeveloped and sparsely populated.  One has to walk for long distances to get to school, health facilities, communication, and access to the road and water.  Dominic has been at home for three years which says a lot about his commitment to stay at home and pursuing his education. He has three siblings, an older brother who does casual jobs in Nairobi and a sister who is sponsored by the Presbyterian University. His family used to live in a slum in Nairobi that caught fire and they lost everything. They moved to Laikipia in central Kenya as squatters because they don’t have their own land. Later his mother fell sick and passed away. His father too fell sick and was in hospital for four years and his health has never recovered and he can only do light work.  Dominic and his father rely on his elderly grandmother for basic needs.   Although he sometimes goesfor days without food, he hasn’t missed school for a day for the last three years or run away.  He is an average student but he has the potential to do better given the opportunity. He will be sitting for his final primary exam to enable him to join high school next year.  He needs education sponsorship to pursue further education and break from his family’s poverty cycle.

Tumaini Kwa Watoto has helped 10 young people settle back with their families who are working hard to pass their primary school exams next month and aspiring to join high school in 2016. They are determined to achieve their dreams….just waiting for the community to stand with them.  It takes a community to raise a child.  You can be part of their community to enable them to pursue their dreams. Only £50/$77 a month for four years will make it happen!

Here’s a wonderful opportunity for you to empower Dominic through education. Your partnership will make a significant difference in his life, the lives of his family and community.  By investing in the life of this determined young man you become part of his journey of hope.

Together changing lives of orphans and vulnerable children for good – moving them from poverty to purpose. An opportunity for you to leave a lasting mark on the life of a young person. That’s how together we can change our world.

 

Elvis’ experience on the streets left him thinking through his future. When TKW team met him, he always seemed to be in deep thought. Then one day, Elvis Mathaai said, “Mwalimu (teacher) I ran away from home because I didn’t really like the new school my mum transferred me to at the start of the year.”

 

As a form 2 student, Fanaka High school was not Elvis’ choice but his parents felt this new school would help him improve his performance. Unfortunately Elvis and his parents didn’t discuss the transfer and Elvis attended school for the first term without raising any suspicion. Some children just need a bit of convincing that the decision their parents make is in their best interest. Elvis benefitted greatly from the counseling we gave him as we befriended him on the streets and plans to walk him home were put into place.

Negotiating a child’s future is part of what we do at TKW. Elvis asked to express to his parents on his behalf that he was ready to settle at Fanaka High School and focus on his studies.

 

Two weeks after we reintegrated him back home, we visited Elvis at home and school. We were glad to meet a transformed Elvis and with a changed of perception concerning the school. His mother made these comments: “My son has not been a truant and my wish was just to see him again and listen to what his challenges were at the school. He is a bright boy and I am sure that he will excel in his studies. Once again Thank you Tumaini Kwa Watoto for bringing my son home safely because another person could have taken advantage of him.”I also thank God for answering my earnest prayers to bring my son back home, she continued.

 

Elvis & his parents are in a new place working through their challenges. Negotiating the future of each child is important. Empowering the child to negotiate his future is means impacting the next generation. Passing on negotiating skills to the parents is what TKW does through Equipping Parents Community Program (EPCP). Crucial partnerships are needed to expand this important program because it’s benefitting children, families and communities. This must mean only one thing, a more secure nation. Will you partner with TKW to equip more parents and impact more children and their communities?

“My life was good before, I had a nice home, loving family, everything I wanted. But then my mother left and married another man, a foreigner. I want to go back to my real father and away from my mum and step-father. I’m much better off without their destructive influence.”

12 year old David has lived through such traumatic experiences in his life, but his recovery has just began. He came to the streets to look for money to enable him to go look for his father.

He was reunited with his father who was very excited to have his son back. However to make sure that the abusive mother does not come and destabilize David’s life again, his father reported the case to the children’s district officer who gave him the custody of his son. David’s father has remarried and they have two children younger than David. His step mother is a great woman and unlike many step parents, she welcomed him to their home and accepted him as her own son.

David’s emotional scars are healing. Through counseling and patience, he is making progress, now attending school and his grades are steadily increasing as he adjusts.

David recently ranked among top in his class. His willingness to participate in any activity or chore at home despite his traumatic childhood. David has been delivered and now smiles freely. “We will protect him here in our school now that his father has explained to us his case.” Said the head teacher of David’s new school.
This is a story of 12 year old David Tonito, who is carrying physical and emotional scars of his childhood. David grew up with his father and mother in the town of Magadi on the border of Kenya with Tanzania (where his dad still lives and works). He was 7 years, when his parents separated and his mother got married again to a man who has treated him horribly, physically and mentally abusing him, and not accepting him as his own. Tired of this pain, David left home early February 2015 in search of his real father, not even knowing if he was alive or dead. All he knew was that the man who fathered him lived near the border.

 

David was on the streets for 3 weeks moving from place to the city to another with a goal of begging to get enough money to travel to the border town to look for his father. During his fourth week, he was met by TKW team and David saw a savior. In a dismal mood, he why he was on the streets. He needed love and someone who cared enough for him. ”It would be easier to tell people my parents are dead because when I tell people that I don’t have any contact with my mother and my step-father they question the credibility of my story. Sometimes I have to respond with something like, “They aren’t very nice people”

David was finally rescued from the streets and though it was not possible to take him direct to his father, David remembered his aunt’s (father’s sister) place near the border town. She was grateful to receive David and promised to deliver him to his father.

David recounted painfully what led to his parents separating and him moving to another town with his abusive mother:-”Though my dad was absent during the week, I was assured of seeing him every weekend. My drunken mother physically disciplined us with a heavy cord. She always had a live in boyfriend who also had the nerve of physically abusing me at any opportunity when dad was not around.

After countless times, I finally got the courage to tell my dad what mother was involved in and also told my mother what her boyfriends were doing to us. In front of my dad she called me a liar and so I stopped telling. My dad finally found out the truth and this disintegrated our family. My dad went to the children’s officer and insisted that my mother leaves me under his custody but instead children’s officer did not allow my dad to take me like I begged for, I was stuck with my mother. We moved to the city with barely enough to eat and my mum blamed me for their separation.”

Against all odds, David is growing from the most challenging situations and is still progressing in all areas of his lives. As TKW team we say ‘we are eager to bring hope and change other lives like David’s’. Partnering with us will make the rescue and reintegration of more children with their families. To rescue one child and monitor his progress for three months, we need a gift of £250 or £20 a month or £5 a week for a year. Not every child on the streets is from a poor family…so next time you see a child on the streets, stop and chat with him.

A new start: hope, pray and go

[one_third] [/one_third] [two_third last=last] Years of wasted life – heavy and dirty jacket, hard life, hopelessness, describes Paul’s life on the streets. He looked like an old man and dejected when we first met him on the streets.  We soon discovered that he had been on streets for two and half years, and his appearance reflected it.

Paul’s story is no different from many other children we’ve meet on the streets:  parents separated, a broken family and a grandmother picks up the pieces.  As much as Paul loved his hard working paternal grandmother who opened her home without parental authority and guidance, he ran away from school to the streets in search for a better life.

As we met with Paul regularly, slowly but sure, his self-esteem began to grow.  We began to see signs of hope, of change and transformation.  Paul now looked his age, 14 years old.  One day Paul expressed a desire to go back home and plead with his grandmother to receive him back.  Paul said he was ready to face his grandmother and apologize for past mistakes. The team assured him that they would plead his case with his grandmother about his past mistakes.[/two_third] Parents’ separation often causes much damage to many children like Paul, driving them to the streets where their lives and dreams are wasted.  Paul has a dream of becoming a teacher, which cannot be realized on the streets.   We are glad that Tumaini Kwa Watoto team is on the streets and in a position to reach such children like Paul.

Paul’s turning point came when we rescued him from the streets on 14^th November 2012 and thus begun a journey of restoration.  We rescued him from the streets and reunited with his grandmother.  When Paul’s mother heard that he had come back, she sent a message requesting Paul to visit her.  Paul went to visit his mother during the school holidays, a few miles from his grandmother’s home.  The visit went well and Paul decided to stay with his mother and go back to school.

When we visited Paul after seven weeks, we could hardly believe the change that has taken place. Paul’s hopelessness had gone and he has begun to blossom. Paul has gone back to school and the evidence of restoration can be seen all over his life.  He is finally home where he belongs with his mother.

 

February 1 2013.