Collins Omondi Onyango lost both parents; father died before he was born and his mother was found dead with him feeding on her milk.. Initially was cared for by his Grandmother, who sacrificed a lot for him. Due to circumstances it was best if he was admitted into the orphanage. On arrival he was very cold and sad, always shivering; after about a month he started to be happy. During this brief period his grandmother died. Collins is dedicated to looking after animals, helping with the cows and goats. He enjoys school and want to study at University. He plans to be a farmer.

Ruth Auma Onyango at 7yrs old was found wandering the streets and in need of medical attention. She remembers staying with her Mother, but reveals very little else, which is hardly surprising after she confided to Mama Rose, that her mother tied her hands together and burned them with a giko (charcoal oven/grill), then told her to leave. The parent were looked for but have remained missing! She works hard at school, is well disciplined and organises others well.

In 2008 two young brothers were taken into the Orphanage Andy 3yrs and Chris 18 months. The family background is vague; it is suggested strongly that the Father was mentally challenged and the mother was not around. Andy did not speak, he was terrified of people and was constantly missing. He did not respond to calls and was always eventual found usually hiding under one of the beds. Younger brother Chris had seriously burnt buttocks from falling into the cooking fire. Also he was very thin, suffering from malnutrition. He required a months treatment in the hospital before being brought to the Orphanage. Both are in infant school ,Andy wants…

I have been given access to the children’s records and whilst reading them I realise many are just to difficult to record here. Donathan Ochieng was born in 2009, his parents divorced shortly after he was born. At the tender age of 18 months his mother brought him to his fathers home and then ran away, deserting him. Don’s father worked, when he went to work he locked him in a room for the day. Having watched Don play with the other kids I have problem imaging as a toddler how he must have felt being locked up on his own every day. The nightmare culminated in Don getting his…

“Education is a Priority to all Kenyans, it is the only way forward“. Mama Obama I am living in a small room within the Orphanage, along with the staff; all of whom are locals. I am the token “White” or Mgeni, for many miles around. Actually I have not seen another white face. Kenya’s national tongue is Swahili, and official language is English; which they are taught from year 4 (9 to 10yrs old). Conversations I have are ‘interesting’ and punctuated with laughter, yet somehow lacks informality and comfort of home. Education in Kenya is free but over subscribed, hence shortages in all areas e.g Teachers, classrooms, books and money.…

Working in an Orphanage in rural Kenya ; Home to Children overcoming horrendous life stories. It was a humbling experience. It gave me time for personal reflection. The orphanage is home to 14 Girls and 16 Boys from the age of 5 months up to 18 years: many with truly horrendous life stories. Many were abandoned in the street; one boy was so ill it was thought he had only hours to live. All have mental scars and some have physical ones. Younger ones smile and want contact , the adolescence boys and girls are somewhat less communicative > much the same as normal teenagers all over the world. On…