springs of hope

AFRICA
Where to start? There is so much to say, yet I am not sure words or pictures can give a true vision of
Kenya. All at the same time, it is by far, the most breathtaking and devastating place I have ever
experienced. I went to visit one of my oldest friends, Molly. She, her husband, Joe and 14 year old son,
Elijah have sold everything they own to build an orphanage…for facts and figures, please visit:
www.springsofhopekenya.org…At the moment, the building should be completed by the end of this year.
Work is all done by hand and very slow, but they are getting there…
Each day I spent in Nakuru was different. Molly and Jo do many outreaches to the local “mamas,” street
kids, and hospitals. Besides feeding and clothing these people, they are working to build the community
by getting the kids off the streets and into school as well as supporting the growth of small businesses.
Most of these people are surviving with barest of necessities, if any at all. Although the need seems
endless, I realized during my trip that it does not take much to make a large difference….one human being
at a time. Simon, for instance. A very special 14 year old boy that touched my heart among many. Given
up by a family that did not want him anymore, he has lived on the streets of Nakuru for over a year. Many
street boys (about 90%) succumb to sniffing glue to ease hunger and stay warm…Simon has not-he
admits trying it but did not see it as an answer…He wanted to go to school, become a minister, and help
fellow street kids. We had many lunches throughout the course of my stay and he is an incredibly gentle,
smart, well mannered boy. Even after living a very hard life, there is still a softness and strength to him.
During one of our lunches, he saved half his meal so that he could give it to another homeless child.
Pretty amazing from someone starving themselves. This is only one of many examples and I found him
very inspirational. What broke my heart, was seeing this boy lose the light and hope in his eyes. I learned
a lot from Simon and it was shockingly easy to help him….A meeting with the headmaster of Davis
Academy and basically a check…$850.00 paid for his tuition, clothing, supplies, room and board for the
entire year. Watching this special little person (again, one of many) come off the streets and go to school
was one of the best days of my life. The smile and rekindled sparkle in those eyes was worth every penny
and more. He did much more for me than I did for him and it will be my honor to keep his tuition paid
each year until he graduates.
I don’t feel I can write an ending about this trip because I think it only the beginning….What I can say is
that can you imagine being a child and living on the streets? Can you imagine your parents dying or not
being able to take care of you? Being sick and not knowing if you were going to be able to eat today,
tomorrow, or the next day? No family, no school, no clothes, no bathroom or shower? Can you imagine?
Seeing it was hard to believe and an easy choice to write a check.
To be continued…