A story of some of the kids we work with.
Francis (16 years) and Joseph (13 years)’s parents have both passed away. Their father passed away when they were still quite young. Their mother passed away in 2003 after a long illness. Francis still gets emotional when talking about his mom and it appears he was present when she actually passed away.
As the oldest child living at home, many, many responsibilities were thrust on Francis as their mother got sicker. They were originally taken in by neighbors in their home area in rural Nyanza province in western Kenya. Joseph was able to continue in school but there was not enough money to send Francis so he fell behind.
In January 2006, they moved to Kibera to live with their only other sibling, an older brother, Crispine, who is 23. Unfortunately, their older brother has been unable to get work and struggles to provide for the boys basic needs.
We met them in January as they played with the former street boys at a home across the street from our house. We learned their story and decided there was something we had to do. We got them enrolled at New Adventure School, bought them uniforms and supplies, and are so proud of them.
On May 8th I got the honor of walking them to school to get them set up for the first time this year. They were extremely excited. Joseph, the younger one, was walking right on top of Michelle and was clearly excited and Francis, the older one, walked on the other side of the road (didn’t want to telegraph he was being walked to school) tried to be more reserved until you asked him something or saw the ear to ear grin.
I wish you could have been there when I went to the school a few weeks later to show some new people around. We walked by the St. 7 room and all the sudden a movement catches my eye. Little Joseph is sitting in the front row waving his heart out to get my attention. I stepped to the door to say hi to the rest of them and Francis does the cool head tilt, eyebrow raise, and big smile that lets me know he’s glad I’m there without looking “uncool” in front of the rest of them. Mr. Evans sees us and shows us through all classes. Then we sat with Mr. Evans in the teachers area as he explained the school to them. Josephine (St. 7 teacher) walked through and I stopped her to ask how the boys were doing and she said that they were doing great but didn’t expand. I looked back to Mr. Evans and he asked which boys I was asking about and I said Francis and Joseph and explained that I was the one who brought them. He said, “Those boys are doing so well. Not only are they top of their class in Math and Science but they are so respectful and obedient. I tell the rest of the students that they need to look up to them and follow their example. I also told the boy who has been head of that class for many years that he should watch himself because now he has very strong competition and if he doesn’t work hard he won’t be top of the class much longer.”
Currently, Francis is 3rd in his class and assures me he’ll be first by the end of the year. Joseph is 6th (of 35) and is planning to be fourth soon. I am so proud of them.
They are great boys but their future is very much in doubt unless their older brother can find work to make their lives more stable and food more sure daily. Please pray for Crispine to find a good, stable job quickly.
A bit more about Francis and Joseph:
Francis’s favorite color is red. His favorite food is rice with “anything”. In school his favorite subjects are math and science and once he finishes school he hopes to become a journalist so that he will have a stable income to provide for his family. When asked who Jesus is to him he responds “ He is the savior of my life.” His favorite verses are the ones which tell him about God protecting us. After school Francis is often playing football in front of our house and then studies late into the night.
Joseph’s favorite color is also red. His favorite foods are spaghetti and meat. His favorite subjects in school are science and social studies. When he’s older he wants to be a commercial pilot so that he can fly to America to see it. He said that Jesus is his savior and that his favorite. When asked what he wanted you all to know most he said that he wanted to be able to draw you a picture so that you could understand what it looks like so I will include a Kibera general picture with this as well.
thanks for the story, Denise. this is great.