Our Family

We are so pleased that we now have eleven children in our home. The first to arrive in December, 2010 was a group of five wide-eyed wonders: Terah, Ivy, Kevin, Blessing, and Joshua.

Terah (6) and Ivy (5) are brother and sister. During the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007-2008, their father was killed and their mother mysteriously disappeared through the hands of the militia on the same day. Extended family members were unable to care for them. Through the help of a local missionary they were placed in our home in December, 2010. Neither child has attended school. Terah is now attending a very good charter school in the Kitale community. Ivy attends our in-home pre-school taught by some of the mothers where she can build up her skills to a level sufficient to attend the charter school. Both are very cheerful, active, jovial children who enjoy playing with other children.

Kevin (5) was orphaned as a baby. Both of his parents succumbed to HIV/AIDS. Kevin was placed with his elderly paternal grandmother who cared for him until she had a stroke that prevented her from providing adequate care for Kevin. Kevin has never attended school either and also attends our in-home school where the daily lessons help him catch up to his peers in preparation for his entry into the community school system. Kevin is also a very happy boy who enjoys playing with his peers and participating in his in-home pre-school lessons.

Blessing (4) is a young man who was abandoned at birth. He was born in the war torn, Mt. Elgon region where he was found crying in the forest. A good Samaritan woman cared for him and her own one week old baby for as long as she could. There was not sufficient food for both children so Blessing was severely malnourished when he came to us. He has regained his strength since being in our care and is now doing very well. Blessing is a great story teller and also enjoys going to class in our in-home pre-school.

Joshua (3) is an orphan whose father was killed by the militia and whose mother died of malaria when he was very young. Joshua and his ten year old sister were mistreated by the step-mother who cared for them after their parents’ death. When Joshua was two they walked approximately 40 km to find food and a place to stay. A kind woman took them in for awhile and eventually brought Joshua to our home. His early life left him malnourished with some behavioral difficulties. Since coming to our home he has regained strength and is slowly developing more appropriate social behaviors. He is also attending our in-home pre-school.

In April, 2011 we were blessed to receive another fantastic group of five children: Moses, James, Zakayo, Moses, and Faith.

Moses (3) was abandoned during the post-election violence when he was approximately one day old. He was found by a security guard who cared for him as well as he could, but this man soon became homeless making caring well for Moses an impossibility. Moses is gaining strength and is also learning to exchange his survival skills for more appropriate social behaviors while attending our in-home pre-school.

James (7) and Zakayo (3) are brothers whose parents both died of HIV/AIDS. After the death of their parents they lived with elderly grandparents for awhile, but the grandmother was blind, and the grandfather was disabled. Because of their disabilities and poverty they were not able to properly care for the children. Both had severe ring worm when they arrived at our home, and Zakayo had difficulty with gorging himself when offered food. They are both free of ring worm now, and Zakayo is eating normal amounts of food with the assurance that the next meal will always come. James is attending the Kitale charter school with Terah, and Zakayo is attending our in-home pre-school.

Moses (6) and Faith (3) are brother and sister whose father died in a road accident and whose mother died of HIV/AIDS. The children were temporarily in the care of various relatives, some of whom used the children to gain money rather than providing for their needs and seeing that Moses went to school. When Moses and Faith arrived in our home both had ring worm all over their heads and bodies and were malnourished. Initially Moses was very afraid of adults since he had been severely beaten by some of his relatives. He is beginning to develop trust with our home staff. Both are now free of ring worm and have regained their strength. Both are also attending our in-home pre-school. Once Moses has gained the skills needed, he will transfer to the Kitale charter school with Terah and James.

The most recent addition to our happy home is our beloved Grace who arrived in May, 2011.

Grace (7) is an orphan whose father died of malaria and whose mother died of HIV/AIDS. Grace’s older sister who was still in school initially attempted to care for Grace and her other five siblings, but that was too much for a young girl still in school herself. The siblings were divided up among other relatives. Grace was very sick and eventually was taken to hospital where she was diagnosed with HIV. Unfortunately rather than offering her greater care and compassion, her relatives mistreated her as a result of her diagnoses. Another aunt attempted to care for her when she discovered that she was being mistreated, but she was a single mom of six children already. This aunt eventually placed Grace in our care for which we are very grateful. Since coming to us she is now receiving antiretroviral treatment and is making slow progress physically. Grace is also attending our in-home pre-school to help prepare her to attend the Kitale charter school. She is a gifted prayer and loves to sing and pray for others.