When Kenya closed schools it meant that all children from Liberty School in the rural town of Bikeke must return to their homes. The problem? They are forced to live in the homes of guardians who are not able to meet their basic needs. The solution? You helped us organize an all-out program in coordination with the school staff to get food supplies to dozens of families of the most vulnerable children.
The school director took us to visit a new family from the school. We stood with the family in their very tiny house not much larger than a walk-in closet.
John, the director, said to us, “Just look down and look at this floor!”
Aulton’s dad had four wives. He also had HIV AIDS. Aulton’s mom was the second wife. She died before Aulton was even 12 months old. His father ended up dying of “HIV-Aids and otherwise witchcraft.” Two of the remaining wives went their separate ways but the last remaining mother begrudgingly took Aulton in. He lived with her and her children until one day this step-mom became sick also.
Sickly and desperate she went to Aulton and told him, “I am going to the hospital. You care for these children until I am well and come back home. I PROMISE you when I return I will buy a school uniform, shoes, and food. I will pay your school fees and you can return to school.” Aulton believed his mom’s promises and persevered on his own in a very desperate situation in the highest hopes of seeing these promises come true.
