Spring 2012

Our Beautiful Kabongo Family


   My husband, David, and I were doing medical volunteer work in Kenya in 2012 and during an HIV/AIDS outreach "ride-along", I came across Veronicah, a young orphan who was washing clothes to earn a few shillings. She had not been in school for several years. She spoke minimal English but with the help of our driver, I ascertained that her Grandmother could not afford the cost of school supplies nor rental fee of a school desk.That afternoon we bought her shoes, a uniform and text books and enrolled her in the nearby Patrician School. At 7:00AM the following morning Grandma walked her to the school gates, fresh pencils in hand and on the threshold of a real future. 
   On my last day in Kenya, I made arrangements to visit Grandma's mud and dung home where, much to my surprise, I was shyly greeted by Veronicah's 3 siblings. They had all been parent-less for several years. They had also been out of school, working as domestics/field hands and Grandma Jane had called them home to meet me. (She was a wise Grandma...) Within  the next couple days, we had them all enrolled and they joined Veronicah at The Patrician School.

Veronicah with her Grandma Jane

    These children study hard and want very much to succeed. However, due to their minimal previous scholastic exposure, school continues to be a major challenge for them. All classes in Kenya, starting with kindergarten, are taught only in English; but at home only Swahili is spoken (Grandma speaks very minimal English). We hired an English language tutor to help them bridge the gap. We also enrolled them in Scouts and arranged swimming lessons at a local pool on weekends so they would have a fun activity to look forward to. At the time we first met them, Sharon was almost 13 and we enrolled her in 5th grade, Veronicah was 12 and was started in 4th grade, Kelvin almost 11, 5th grade, and Moses, 7, began his first year of kindergarten.



One hour after finding Veronicah, we go directly to the
school and I get Veronicah enrolled.
Now, time for shopping-

   These kids live with their Grandma Jane, who earns about $1 a day growing vegetables that she sells. Her dirt floor abode has no electricity, sanitation or water and despite her hard work in the fields, she does not have the means to feed her grandchildren adequately. For this reason we enrolled the older three into the boarding program at the school as soon as they were eligible. We give Grandma a small monthly supplement of eggs, fruit and milk to help her feed Moses, who must still live at home until he will be in 5th grade.



Grandma watches as Veronicah
tries on a school uniform.

    We return every year to visit them, and bring them clothes, books, puzzles, toys and games.We are so thankful for the generous contributions of family and friends for the support they give this very deserving family. 
  The picture at the bottom is one of our very favorites! When we arrived in Eldoret, Kenya, the hospital where we were volunteering had made arrangements for us to stay at the Eldoret Club, a charming old golf and swim club from old British days. The first person we met was Brother Paul, a charming member of the Irish order The Brothers of St. Patrick, and he had been a long time president of the Club. 

Grandma Jane, Kelvin, Moses, Veronicah,
my driver John and Sharon

We engaged in conversation and as a former nurse and teacher, I was delighted to be invited to spend some time in Kabongo. This was a very destitute area outside of Eldoret where Brother Paul had built a school and small medical facility to serve the poor families who live close by. Thanks to my time spent at The Patrician School, I knew right away where I could get Veronicah enrolled that very afternoon. 

Brother Paul and our 4 little scholars, all enrolled in school!