Enock's nickname during his five years in the streets was TanoTano, meaning FiveFive because he was known for asking for only five cents when he begged. Now, his self-given nickname is Mzee, which means elder, because he is the oldest boy (and one of the hardest working) in the group.
Hey everyone, just another reminder to check out Jake Altman's blog by clicking here. Great posts and he puts a totally different (and funnier) perspective on the work being done here. Below are "before and after" photos of some of the boys here. In Kisii town, I told all the boys to smile for the photo...today, when I was taking the photos, no mention of a smile was necessary to produce the truly happy faces you see below. I'll keep this post short; I think the pictures speak for themselves. Make sure to check out The Kids page for more information about the Arrive children.
Kamwana is 12 years old and lived homeless on the streets foro NINE years.
Daniel Mogaka lived in Kisii for six or seven years (he lost count), and is only twelve years old. He is currently working hard in school, learning how to read and write. For his years in the street, he openly admits to sniffing glue, huffing jet fuel, smoking marijuana, smoking cigarettes, and drinking alcohol every single day.
Before and aEvans Omari was beaten furiously in Kisii town by police officers who wanted him to go home. Problem was, he had no home to go to...until now! He is in third grade.
This is Brian "Samaki" Peter. Orphaned and abandoned at the age of four, Samaki lived homeless on the streets of Kenya for NINE years. When we first met him, he was addicted to huffing glue and lived in a dumpster. Because of displaced anger and a lifelong history of dissapointment, he would throw stones at students in their crisp school uniforms who had the nerve to pass him. His grim future consisted of sniffing glue until he became brain dead by the age of 20, or dying from a curable cause like an infected cut or lack of clean water. Since coming to live at the Keumbu Rehema Childrens Home over six months ago, he has thrived both at home and in the classroom; something even he thought was impossible to accomplish. Now he is completely sober and completely happy; and if his old self met his new self, a stone would most definitely be thrown.
Thomas is from Kisumu and from the Luo tribe. A total orphan, he took a leap of faith traveling with Brian to an unknown land to live at the KRCH.
Duke was one of the drunker street boys in Kisii and has been making exceptional progress as the glue continues to leave his brain. Easily one of the happiest kids I have ever met, my mood instantly gets lifted when we are together.
Joseph was abused heavily by his parents and during his two and a half years in the streets, lived the life of a 35 year old man. He worked, had a phone,had a girlfriend, and even bought a bicycle. He is embracing his second chance at childhood at the young age of thirteen.
Read about Felix in the Blog Post titled "Across The Nile and Back."
Melikzadeck has had one of the hardest lifes of any of the boys, yet his desire to learn is undeniable. Since attending school the teachers have already given him the position of "bellringer" to notify students when to swtich classes.
There isn't a moment when Patrick isn't smiling!