Seeing Promise in Kenya

Published September 11, 2018 by SMBC

What a difference a year makes in the lives of the Children of Promise at the Watoto Wa Ahadi Rescue Center.

The first group of boys have been successfully integrated back into their families, and a new set of boys are now having their lives changed for the best. We visited the farm last month, and saw firsthand how the Rescue Center is positively changing their lives. Each boy is part of a group family, such as the Joy Group, Self-Discipline Group, the Harmony Group, etc. Each group is responsible for ten flowerbeds per family, and each includes at least three crops. Some of the crops include sweet potatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions, coriander, tomatoes, squash, and bananas.

After learning about farming projects, we saw the schoolroom that some of the boys attend prior to going to public primary school. This group of boys range in age from 10 to 16 years old. One of the challenges the boys face is learning how to sleep in a bed. Things I've taken for granted all my life are life skills these boys are learning daily.

Last year our construction team began designing and building the new bakery. Only the walls had begun going up. This year, we saw the entire building completed with roof, rafters, and four walls. Though the bakery is not yet functioning, the target date for getting water run, electricity complete, and cookware installed is spring of 2019.

The highlight of the day came when we passed out new cowboy boots to the boys. The cowboy boots were generously donated by Bill Hippel, and the boys were very excited to try them on. A couple of ground rules for the boys: the boots may be worn to school or church, but do not play soccer in the boots! We finished the day with a rousing game of volleyball. It was a fun time spending the day with the boys and seeing the promise of their new future.