We are living near the city center of Kitale, Kenya. We stop in town just about every day for some reason or another. This is where we met our VAN CHASERS. As with any city area- there are beggars. Young and old wander the street asking for money and food. The kids we have met have not been just some beggars though. We have heard their stories, spent some time, and this is what I want to share.
When we first met most of these school aged kids on the street, they were sniffing glue and just wanting to talk to mzungus. As we drive away, they hold onto the back of the van and chase us down the road. The more we went into town, the more we learned their stories. Sure, some of them were fabricated tales of woe to earn a shilling or two but sometimes you just knew when a kid has just been handed the wrong fate.
It started by just buying the cheap popcorn bags from the machine outside the grocery store for some of the boys we had met and turned into a real ministry. A couple of the girls bought shoes for some boys and we tried to get kids to give up the glue. Soon, though, some of my teammates felt that more needed to be done. After talking with our contact and another pastor, Staci visited some of the boys’ homes and made sure their stories matched up. These kids are smart, sweet, and just want a chance to go to school and get out of the life they have been handed. In order to go to school or even eat, they have to be provided for. So many of the stories are the same and we have found to be true. Parents have been killed or died and there are no funds to support them or pay for school, food, or anything else.
I am happy to report that because of the passion of a couple of my teammates, 4 of these boys have the opportunity to start attending a boarding school in January, most of them beginning about 6 years behind their age. They will be provided for in all necessary ways and even have a “family” with one of the pastors we have been connected with, but will need sponsors. These kids have been given provision before and then let down and we don’t want this to happen again. We are so excited for them to have a chance to start over and get the life God desires for them. They need caring people to help keep them in the school and off the streets. If you are interested in sponsoring them in any way, even just a one-time donation, email me: [email protected] and I will let you know how to help. It will be about $800 a year per student for all of their expenses.
I love seeing this God story unfold on the street of Kenya and am blessed to be a part of it.
