We CAN Make a Difference

Today we visited the Comido School in the Kwan-Njenga/Mukuru slums. We walked over a mile through a sea of metal roofed shacks, many selling items like old clothes, used shoes, charcoal for cooking, assorted vegetables, dead birds, unidentified animal organs, and anything else they can sell to earn a livelihood. We were greeted by many children yelling “mzungu” meaning foreigner, as we passed by.

When we finally reached the school grounds, we saw a large group of children kicking a soccer ball around a dirt field. The ground was strewn with garbage and waste, and a few malnourished cows grazed on food scraps amidst the piles of garbage. The children laughed and screamed as they followed the ball around the field. The fact they could experience joy, despite their horrific surroundings, brought tears to my eyes.

The slum is home to more than 100,000 people, many of them children. The Comido School has grown from 60 students in 1998 to more than 400 students today. Though the school provides an education for 400 students, many more are unable to attend, due to lack of money or the inability of the school to accommodate more. Many children peer through the barbed wire fence surrounding the school grounds, looking longingly at the uniformed children playing within.

When you think about all the children in that slum who are unable to obtain an education, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with despair. But today we got the chance to catch a glimpse of hope. Last year’s team chose to use a portion of their support money to provide scholarships for three children living in the slums. These children were provided full-ride scholarships through the 8th grade. We got the chance to visit these children and their families, actually going to the “homes” where they live.

The first girl’s name was Happiness. Her father died of cancer in 2007, and her mother struggles to raise 5 children in a single room shack. As we crowded into their small room, her mother continuously thanked us and praised God for providing the means for Happiness to attend school.

Nahima, is the second of seven children. She lost both her mother and father to aids. The grandmother raised the children, until she became paralyzed and bedridden due to a stroke. Their cousin Suleka, now cares for the children in a single rented room. When we arrived, we crowded into the small room. Nehima’s grandmother lay in bed, looking very frail and sick. Suleka spoke for the family, thanking us for giving Nahima the chance for a new life.

Heroll is an only child, being raised by his single mother. His father died of meningitis in 2000, and his mother makes a small income washing other people’s clothing. She told us how she thanked God everyday for the blessing of Heroll’s scholarship, and was so happy that we had come all the way to see them.

Listening to the stories of hardship these families experienced was heartbreaking, especially since their stories are so typical of children living in the slums. But seeing the smiles on the children’s faces and hearing the gratitude of their mothers made me realize their lives have been significantly changed.

Though we may not be able to help all the children in the slums, we’ve definitely made a difference to these children and their families. Thank you so much for supporting our Kenya mission team. It’s because of all of you that these children and families have new lives of hope and promise.

God Bless you all :)
Heather