Personal experiences
Making A Difference in Kenya
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Between January 2009 and June 2009 I embarked on a life changing trip with one thought on my mind ‘To make a difference’ in the lives of boys who are so much less fortunate than you or I could ever imagine. Hopefully between past and present similar minded volunteers and teaching staff of the ‘Grandsons of Abraham rescue centre’ the boys lives will be a lot happier and safer. The centre is based approximately eight miles North of Mombasa and is managed by ‘The Sisters of St. Joseph’s ‘.
On my first day at the centre I had no idea what I was walking into but before I entered the through the gates I was welcomed by one of eighty boys who will stay in my thoughts for as long as i live.
Rama who is approximately five years old and stays at the centre with his older brother Juma, sadly no one knows how old a lot of the boys are as there is no birth records so you can only guess. So there we were, five volunteers and I walking down the dirt track with the main gates in sight when Rama this little boy comes running out the gates and is heading towards all of us. I stopped walking so the other volunteers could welcome him but he just ran past them, he was more interested in welcoming the new person who had just arrived. And what a welcome I received, Rama just launched himself at me while saying ‘Jambo’ over and over again (which i later found out was Swahili for welcome).
Monday through to Friday is basically the same at the centre, we would arrive at 08.15 which would give us quarter of an hour to say ‘Jambo’ and prepare ourselves for teaching with first lesson starting at 08.30.
Each day consisted of five, forty minute lessons which included English, Maths, Science, Social Studies and C.R.E. (Christen Religious Education (which the Sisters taught)).
The day was split up into three groups, two lessons then a half hour break, a further two lessons then lunch (which consisted of plan rice and kidney beans) then one further lesson. The rest of the day was either spent playing football or doing ‘one to one lessons’.
After a week at the centre i started to earn the trust some of the boys, they slowly started to open up to me, and would tell me of the unfortunate circumstances which lead to them to becoming street children.
Weekends were your own time; a lot of volunteers would either go to the local beech or go shopping in Mombasa. At least one of my weekend days would be spent just hanging out with the boys just talking or playing with the younger ones.
At least once a week the afternoon would be spent in Mombasa with many of hundreds of homeless children (boys and girls), each one with their own personal sad story trying to convince them that there is a better life at the centre which will feed them, give them shelter and the start of an education which would hopefully lead to secondary school and prospects of a brighter future. Unfortunately a lot of the time you were facing a major obstacle, glue! Most of the street children are addicted to glue and in some cases hardened drugs, hours would just seem like minutes talking to them.
This was my routine for six months but within my routine there are masses of individual stories of survival.
I am now back in England, but still involved with the centre, advising new volunteers through the original volunteers face book site and I am currently involved in the development of Africa Watoto Friends of Grandsons website, raising money to help carry on the excellent work the teachers are doing.
If you would like to know about the centre please feel free to email me at stevenpaulbaker@googlemail.com
Or if you would like to view more of my pictures please contact me on facebook at stevenpaulbaker@googlemail.com .
Steven Paul Baker
July 2009
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Consider sponsoring a boy through secondary school. Secondary education in Kenya lasts for a maximum of 4 years and for a total cost of between just £25 to £40 per month (different school fees vary) you could pay for the keep and education of a boy, making an unbelieveable difference to his life.
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A major UK based project with links to the Friends group which is working towards linking individuals, groups and organizations in the UK with Grandsons and its wider community. Currently all funds raised by the Friends group are earmarked for the project.
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