At the beginning of the new year, we had a surprising visit from Kelvin,
one of the children that we supported since he started in preschool class. Now he had completed Form 4 (11th grade).
He radiated joy and told us that he had become No. 3 out of the 212 students in his grade level. In physics, he took first place. So the boy is very talented and we are so proud of him. His dream is to become a doctor. First he has to study for another two years to get his high school diploma, and then he can start a medical study.
Kelvin really expressed his gratitude. He thanked us for helping children from poor families get an education. He himself is from a very poor family. I, Tabitha, clearly remember the day I met his mother for the first time. She came here one Saturday morning with a young girl who helped her with the twins who could not yet walk. Kelvin was 3-4 years old at the time. The father left them when she gave birth to the twins and never returned to see the children.
I remember how the twins cried and cried while we talked. They were so hungry. Fortunately, my yard was filled with bananas so the babies ate their fill which calmed them down and they quickly fell asleep. Kelvin’s mother needed help with food and rent. She cautiously asked if I was able to send Kelvin to preschool class. We immediately decided to support the family.
Over the years, the family truly experienced the blessings of the Lord, and Kelvin wanted to tell us about it.
A few years later, his mother was blessed with a job as a maid with our German friends, Friedhelm and Rosy, and still works for them. Our German friends have given this mother a lovely little house, so now she no longer has to worry about paying rent.
Kelvin always cared for his mother and during our conversation he said: “If I become a doctor and get a job, then I can take care of my mother when she gets older.” This was so sweet to hear.
Love from Tabitha
The father disappeared and they have had no contact with him for several years. Ruth is a bright girl in school. Her school decided to sponsor her schooling because they are really poor. For various reasons the school recently shut down and Ruth had to find another school.
The mother cannot afford to send Ruth to another school. Ruth’s grandfather is a Maasai and he wants to have her back in Maasai land. He does not want a girl to get eductaed, but instead follow the Maasai traditions for girls: to be married. Maasais think that only boys should get educated.
Ruth’s mother told me that Ruth’s grandfather had received an offer from an elderly, wealthy Maasai who wanted to pay a very large dowry in the form of many cows in order to marry Ruth. Ruth had been desperate because she wanted to stay in school, get her education and choose her husband when the time was ripe. For this reason the mother and Ruth came to our office asking for help.
We trusted God and sent Ruth to a good, Christian school where she is thriving.
We received a sponsor who will support her until Form 4 is completed. But Ruth wishes to continue for another two years and graduate from High School. If any of you would like to support Ruth for a few more years please write us or send a gift to our missions account. Please earmark it “Ruth”.
