Testimonials from the children

“I was born in what once was a happy family, however, my father later became a drunkard. Unfortunately, due to his drunk behaviour, he contracted and tested HIV positive and died when I was 5 years old. My mother was also infected and due to her ill healthy our life changed drastically and became unbearable. The people in our community hated and rejected us. One day, a Salvation Army officer passed by our home and having noted our predicaments, he sympathized with me and organized with the area chief to give a report on my condition and family. I was then later enrolled at the Mombasa Children’s Home. I am comfortable with my studies and now I am in class five. My mother’s health, however, is not good. Please keep praying for me.” IBRAHIM MUGERA

“Both my parents are completely blind and I grew up assisting them through begging in the streets. Every-day I guided my mother to various places where we would beg and the money that we collected was our only source of income. My parents were never able to take me to school. One day a Salvation Army Officer visited our home and spoke to us about the Mombasa Children’s Home and requested that my parents surrender me to the Home. Once joining the Home, I was able to start my education and am now in class 2. I am 9 years old.” MARY PENDO

“I am 13 years old and my mother died when I was 4 years old. My father had earlier died when I was 1 years old. Both of them died of HIV related diseases. Afterwards my grandfather took care of me and comforted me very much. He used to tell me that of the circumstances that led to grandmother’s death. He was too old to secure money for food and so I took the responsibility of going to work to for money so as to buy food for us.I did have an uncle, however, he never wanted to see me in his home. My uncle used to chase me away and this made me cry very much. I remember very well on 2/2/2006 when one Salvation Army officer talked to me and then later to my grandfather. Afterwards, I was enrolled in the Mombasa Children’s Home. I am now in class 5 and I thank God that I now have the opportunity to complete my education and there is someone to take care of me.” JASON OBONYO