A visit to Kenya with a group of
volunteers at any time is full of surprises. This most recent visit in October
made a stronger impact than ever. What
we saw and heard will be with us for a long, long time and some stories may
haunt us throughout life in particular being with the eight year old boy Moses
who was in the forest for the greater part of three years before being brought
to the care home. There he has learnt everything except to talk.
The time spent in St. Paul Children’s Care Home and Shalom Academy was remarkable. Great love and care are lavished on children. To hear the stories of individual children and to hold a month old baby in one’s arms was special. Working with the children in the school gave us real joy and satisfaction.
We were shocked
to learn that the salary of those teaching the lower classes is as little as 40
euros out of which they paid 13 euros rent per month. The foundress of both institutions is a
Kenyan woman who as a university graduate befriended street children and whose
family became involved in giving shelter and a foster home to some of them.
This work expanded and is recognised by all the authorities who some years ago
gave her two acres of land on which to build the care home. People who respect
and appreciate the help that is offered to abandoned, neglected or abused
children.
Volunteers from
St. Catherine’s College, Armagh with the children in the Care Home.