Let me begin this story back in April 2011. Edward was suddenly dropped off at a children’s home. A sad beginning but exactly how Edward’s story with us begins. Saved By God’s Grace was working with this home (at that time we were just beginning to see the corruption there). The owner left them there with no food, no firewood, didn’t send them to school and took the pump they used to get water (among other atrocities). Saved By God’s Grace was able to help feed them, get them into school and other basic items but none of us realized the plan God had for these children. Now most of these same kids are living at Caring For Kenya’s Kids (C4KK) Children’s Home…praise God!
Now back to Edward. Edward was dropped into this home where he knew no one, but the children accepted him readily and made him feel welcome.
Fast forward to May 2012. C4KK Children’s Home is up and running with 28 children living there. The corrupt home was shut down and as mentioned earlier, many of those kids are now living at C4KK and they are thriving….eating regularly, going to school, not worrying if they’ll have water, knowing the bed they sleep in will be theirs…they will not be kicked out of the home (that was actually a threat used by the owner of the other home). Before the children were able to come and live at C4KK the guardians were required to bring necessary paperwork in order to satisfy government regulations and yesterday, Friday, Edward came with all his paperwork!
I wish the story was simply that happy…but seeing Edward so scared, lonely and unsure of what was happening to him once again was sad. I also admit I was a bit angry. Let me try to explain what happened while talking with the pastor who brought him. First odd thing was “David” was listed on the birth certificate as Edward’s father and we also had a copy of his ID but we were told “David” was actually Edward’s uncle because the father did not have an ID…I found that rather odd as many times we see xxxx in place of the fathers name in these situations. Then as Peter, our social worker, began talking with Edward he said the person on the ID was his brother. Now I was really confused…is the person listed really the father and they told the boy it was his brother or what? So that in itself made me angry, but then when I asked why no one in this boys family could take care of him I was told the father (whoever he is) is an alcoholic, the elder brother (or perhaps one in the same as the father) was also drinking, the elder sister left for Nairobi and no one has heard from her. The next three (primary school age) are living with neighbors near Edward’s home village and Edward is the baby of the family. So it seemed to me Edward was a throw away kid to this extended family (the pastor told us Edward had been living with him along with several other children). But no matter how angry the situation makes me I am so very thankful Edward is now home with us at C4KK!
As soon as Edward arrived he was given some food. He didn't eat quickly but he sure did take big spoonfuls and finished it all!
These are the meager belongings Edward came with: 5 shirts, the clothes on his back (all of which were very dirty) and a pair of sandals.
Edward will be nine years old in September and has never been to school, therefore he speaks mainly his mother tongue. Luckily….actually I don’t put anything to luck, it’s all God, some of the kids also know this language. Monday Edward will be taken to school to see which class he will enter and begin his education! But for now the kids are accepting him as if he was never gone! They got him water for a bath (not sure when he bathed last), clean clothes and started playing games with him.
Before all the kids arrived from school, I gave Edward some dinosaurs to play with and with the language barrier we simply lined up the dinosaurs!
Edward is now in our Sponsorship Gallery and waiting for a sponsor. If you are interested please visit the gallery to find out how to begin.
Edward’s first few years of life may have been difficult and confusing for him but he is now where he will be loved, cared for, fed, given medical attention, go to school, have friends and family around who care about him and be told of the love of Christ (both through words and actions).
