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Published: August 15th 2008
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Maina
Maina suffers from a broken heart and broken body after being repeatedly sodomized by his father. Music blared from some of the makeshift stalls that serve as “stores” adding to the chaos of massive amounts of people passing each other, wares hanging from the windows, trash thrown carelessly about, and a stench wafting in from the toilets that serve the slum dwellers of Fuata Nyayo, South B. As we walked the black sludge alleyways that weave like a maze through the heart of the slum I honestly wondered why some people are forced to live in an area the disease infested rats call home. The smell of the sewage that is dropped directly into the Ngong river that cuts through the area was almost overwhelming at times. It is an assault on all ones senses and is a cumbersome weight that threatens to crush all hope of a better existence. Most of these people will never escape that life but for the orphans that are being cared for there by my friend Zebuda, my prayer is that they will. With our help, they can!
I was taking four of our boys from Into Abba’s Arms with me and our friend Joseph to visit Zubeda, a lady whose family ended up in the slums after her husband
Zubeda giving us the tour
A bedroom with 4 bunks that sometimes over 20 children share. lost his job. We find it so important to involve our kids at IAA in helping the less fortunate. We are so very grateful for the hearts of generosity our children have and we desire to help nurture that along. They were excited to be carrying bags or kale and cabbages donated by yet another orphanage, Haven on the Hill. Its an amazing experience to see how these homes work hand in hand, trying to lighten the load for one another.
Once Zubeda and her husband were assaulted with the reality of slum life: violence, fires (due to most cooking on open fires, fire in the slums is common and make shift shanties quickly burn to the ground causing death and/or loss of all valuables), HIV/AIDS, abuse, etc., they decided they must do something in order to help the orphans of the area. Many that have suffered malnutrition, abuse and neglect have found comfort in Zubeda’s arms.
In 2003 Zubeda and her husband started a Rescue Center called “FUNOWI”: Fuata Nyayo orphans and widows (Self Help Group) with the purpose of feeding the hungry and providing skills of sewing and jewelry making for widows and grandmothers of the
Cecilia
This beautiful girl's parents live in the same slum but they do not want her because she has stunted growth. area. Today they feed 65 kids a day that otherwise won’t eat, and provide housing to 20 orphans. What do they have to offer?? They have a 3 room shanty, the whole of the house 30x15 sq. feet, and 11 beds. Sometimes over 20 children sleep there per night as well as Zubeda, her husband and two children.
The most evident difference I noticed between other orphanages and this one in the slums is the lack of joy. Daily life is a struggle. The high school children come home and look for local jobs of washing laundry or child care in order to help purchase food for the home. Forget after school sports, a movie or fast food restaurant for entertainment. Forget a trip to the grandparents or cousins’ house as these kids would be completely alone without Zubeda. These kids have the grind of survival to wake up to each day.
Being exposed to the way these people live would all be too overwhelming for many…it felt pretty overwhelming to me, until I realized the great fact that the help of a handful of people in America or elsewhere would make a life changing impact for these
Solo standing in the "kitchen"
A fire is made in this jiko in the alley and food is cooked for the ever growing family. kids. It literally can be the difference between life and death.
Zubeda owns almost one acre of land outside of the slums. Our dream is to get her a house built that can house the 20 kids she cares for on a regular basis. Their desire is to purchase a house (there are housing units made from block that can be built for $11,000) to be a safe home for the kids.
Two of the children she has custody of have relatives that live in the area. Maina, a small boy that is three years old was repeatedly sodomized by his father. The father went to jail but is now out and trying to get his son. Cecila who is five and a beautiful child, was abandoned by her parents because of her stunted growth. They live 5 minutes away but want nothing to do with her. It would be so great to get these kids out of the area!
Zubeda is doing above and beyond her call of duty. My hope is that I can encourage some of you to go an extra step, along with myself, on behalf of these kids.
FLOMINA
I
Tight quarters
There are no dressers or closets in a shanty so every available space is used for storage. visited Flomina orphanage last week. It is a home started by Soweto slums in Nairobi. Yet more stories…the pictures will tell a lot. No sinks, outside area to wash dishes. Kids doubling and tripling up in the beds due to lack of beds and lack of space…yet, happy to have somewhere to sleep and call home. They are praying for a cow and for the finances to finish the construction they began..
ITHM was able to provide 2 cows last year for two orphanages due to the generous support of a family and Bible study. $550 purchases a cow and $250 gets it a shed and food for a few months.
Flomina could use a cow to help supplement the diet of their 83 children. They have 17 babies living in tiny house that would be the size of 2 bedrooms in America. The other 66 live in sheet metal “dorms” with only three outhouses, an outside kitchen, no showers, no privacy anywhere, etc.
Some of their babies are abandoned, found and brought to Flomina. One fragile boy (in the photo) was left for days and almost starved to death when he was discovered.
Sam, the
Maina and Zubeda
Joy is hard to find in the slums. administrator, and Alice, the founder of the home are amazing servants who give 150% of their time and energy. They could use a helping hand. They are Kenyans that have next to no income due to their choice of helping the ones who would otherwise be left behind.
Again, I was able to take four of our little boys from IAA: ages 10,8,7 and 6. They helped me pick out groceries and supplies that we delivered to a very grateful staff and grateful set of kids.
I could tell story after story of these children’s lives but time is short for everyone.
I want to ask those of you out there who have never had to go to bed hungry and never had to share a bathroom with 83 other people, to consider coming on board in our efforts to help these kids.
Here are some options of how you can help:
1. A one time donation to be used towards the purchase of a home for the desperate children of South B slums, a cow for Flomina, or whatever you would like to donate towards.
2. A monthly commitment of any amount could aid
Public toilets
No one has their own bathroom in the slums. You must pay a monthly fee to use these public services. getting these kids out of an area that makes them feel ashamed and degraded to a home where they can experience peace and pride.
3. A monthly donation to be used at the home of your choice to help purchase basic necessities of food, clothing and to help pay the rent.
$11,000 can purchase a home for the kids of South B. It may sound like a big number to some but if 22 people would commit to $50 over the next 10 months these kids environment and life could be changed!
20 people donating $40 could enable us to purchase a cow for Flomina which would be a blessing to the 83 children living there!
$30 a month can feed a child for the whole month!
Prayer helps lift the heavy load of those working so selflessly for the hurting.
It does not take a whole life change for us to change the life of another; it takes a little adjustment.
I thank all of you who have adjusted and shared from your abundance to join International Treasure House Ministries, Into Abba’s Arms, Haven on the Hill, and/or other projects. You are helping
Cecilia
Posing like a movie star. change the world for the better!
Asante Sana! Thank you very much!
All tax-deductible checks can be sent to:
ITHM
23223 S. Warmstone Way
Katy, Texas 77494
Or, money can be sent directly to Kenya. If you are interested in further details please let me know.
Jennifer
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Johnny
non-member comment
Torn
I have rarely seen Jen not smile after a visit to a new site or venture. This woman was not herself after visiting Fuata Nyayo. Clearly the effect of what she had seen made a huge impact on her and she was torn about what she could do. These people need our help, lets do what we can folks.