Owiti Children's Home Gives Hope to Very Needy Children in Kenya
October 14, 2004
by Ralph Hoey
photos courtesy World Youth International
September 11th is a day that will be etched in most people's memories for ever because of the loss of innocent victims whose lives were taken during the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Centre in America. For the community of Nyamasaria in Kenya, September 11th has now become a day of celebrations with the official opening of our children's home for some of the many innocent children who have been left orphaned by the AIDS virus.
Prior to the opening day, we decided to give the initial 10 children who had been selected to join the home, their own special party where they could have lots fun, play games and have plenty of food to eat. Each child was brought to the home by their guardian carrying one bag each which contained all the possessions they owned in the world. Sometimes I find it interesting to just stand back and observe the actions of children as so much can be learned this way. I noticed the youngest child, a little girl wearing a bright purple dress who had the biggest brown eyes, helped herself to 10 biscuits when they were passed around. I'm sure this was probably the first time she had ever had a biscuit in her life. Her eyes got bigger and bigger and then to my amazement, when it was time for lunch, she piled her plate so high with Ugali, chicken and mutton, that she struggled to hold it. It was as if she never knew for certain where or when her next meal was going to come.
I am very fortunate in my role to be able to see the excellent results of what we create but I have never experienced before what was about to happen next. After lunch, the guardian of each child stood up and one by one gave the child's background and spoke about some of the hardships they had faced. In Kenya with the spreading of AIDS effecting the majority of middle aged people, the ones left to look after the children in most cases are older people or grandparents. So when the guardians were speaking about the child's parents, in some cases they were also speaking about the passing of their own child. It was also very noticeable the sadness expressed in giving the child they had cared for, to our home but then also the joy could be felt in knowing the child would now be looked after and given another chance in life. I have experienced many things in my life but I have never felt the complete trust of someone in giving us a child to look after in the endeavor to give the child a better life.
The official opening of the home happened on Saturday, September 11th 2004. Being near the equator, the day was perfect with blue skies, no rain and 30 degrees Celsius. Using a completely different construction method, World Youth International introduced into Kenya, dome construction. The home looked like a million dollars. Each dome building was painted in a rusty, earthy color with an off white top. Extensive landscaping had taken place in the grounds with an avenue of palms being planted from the gate to the first building. Banana trees and a vegetable garden had been established and a duck pen and pond had been built to house the children's 30 ducks.
It was decided that the opening ceremony was to be held outside the compound with no one allowed into the grounds of the home until the plaque was unveiled and the ribbons across the gate were cut. A marquee was hired for the official guests and it wasn't long before the numbers swelled to around 400 - 450 people, with the arrival of the local community. After a few too many speeches by bishops, church ministers, MPs, the local community etc (the Kenyan people just love making speeches), I had the honor of officially opening the home and was assisted with the cutting of the ribbons by Deb Rugari from The House of Healing Charity Committee. Once the gates opened, the children led the people into the grounds of their new home to the beat of drums, swaying and singing as only Kenyan people can, until the whole compound was packed with jet black and a few white faces. (It is very easy to pick out the Australians in the many photos taken.)
Lunch was provided for all the people who attended and it appeared that around this time, the numbers increased even more.
There are so many highlights on a day like this. The singing and entertainment of the Kenyan people, the coming together and a sense of belonging of the people from within the community, the pride of the mothers and staff at our home, the colorful dresses worn by the women, the food and most important, the smiles on the faces of the children.
Life is never easy for children who have been orphaned but for the children at the World Youth International Owiti Childrens Home, life has now changed for the better.
Thanks have to go out to everyone who has made another World Youth International dream become a reality. Deb Rugari and The House of Healing Charity Committee, who have worked so hard fundraising, the Hogg Heaven Foundation, Hayley Stevens and her team of bike riders, Sandra, Gerald and Josh Groom, the Hoey family, Steve Elgar, Brendan and Annie Nichols, and all the WYI Coordinators, participants, sponsors and supporters.
Special thanks to the home's Patron, Deb Merchant, the Owiti family, Ken Boyce and Fred Mito. Without the support of these people, the home would not have become a reality.
To sponsor an orphan child in Kenya or Nepal for $400 Email WYI for more information!! sponsor@worldyouth.com.au
If you would like to learn more about this project, visit World Youth International.
Related Links:
- World Youth International Owiti Children's Home -- Now Open
- On the Road to Nairobi -- Progress on the Owiti Children's Home And Medical Centre
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- EcoShells Solve World Housing Problems
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