MISSION AWARENESS TRIP TO KENYA
Sept.16- 30, 2006
 "When I’m bigger, I aspire to be an understanding parent"
I read that three fourths of Kenya’s 32 million people still strive to eke out an existence in the rural area. Since humble beginnings in 1989, the CFCA community in Kenya has grown to include 12,925 children and 774 aging persons. CFCA is functioning in 7 projects and 43 subprojects. We currently have 780 Kenyan children available for sponsorship. Sponsored children can be found in primary schools, secondary schools, orphanages and centers for homeless children, and among those affected by AIDS.
From street children to performers
We visited the former street children at Shangilia, which means “Rejoice, Child of Africa”. In 1994, a small group of Nairobi’s street children gave their first performance, under the direction of the late Kenyan actress, Anne Wanjugu. Since then, they have grown into a highly regarded dance troupe, the performances designed to raise the consciousness about those children who roam the streets, practicing the art of survival. These shows not only provide financial assistance for the home. They also help the child gain self-confidence and self-esteem. At the residence, they are very much hurting for space, with children sleeping in triple-decker bunk beds. Those in charge of Shangilia are presently negotiating for a larger piece of property.
A Muslim boy’s profound words
In these days of division, Mohammed, a sponsored Muslim boy from Project Nanyuki who aspires to be a doctor, had something very profound to express. He said in part:
“In all the virtues of life, nothing befits that of understanding. When I’m bigger, I would aspire to be an understanding parent. Since I can’t thank you enough, I will ask Allah to bless you all and may you have what you have always desired because each one of you has touched us in one way or the other."
Sister Luise and the Project at Juja
Sister Luise purchases 60 litres of fresh milk per day for the 1,666 very needy children and 78 CFCA scholars from Star of Hope Orphanage—one of the CFCA subprojects. This is one example of an internal CFCA market, where things produced as a livelihood project are purchased and used by another CFCA subproject.
We enjoyed a “Magical Moment” with Sr. Luise, surrounded by the 19 orphans and abandoned children she has living with her. Paul delighted everyone with impromptu skits. I thought it was a great time to sing the Bob Hentzen song “Esmeralda:”
“But how can I tell you the stars shine in your eyes
The sun and the moon belong to you…little girl…
Fly free to their beauty away from the fear…
Away from the pain outside your door…"
“Let me be your father, your mother and your friend…
Together we can form one family…
We’ll fight for the freedom of the children of our God..
And smile for we’ll never be alone.”
In this setting, Karolina and her mother asked to sponsor an additional 12-year-old girl from Sister Luise’s project in Juja. Her name is Adanesh, originally from Ethiopia. According to Sr. Luise, Adanaesh had been sold at the border between Kenya and Ethiopia as a slave and severely beaten. She managed to escape and providentially ended up at the Juja subproject.
Bob Hentzen
Kenya
September 29, 2006
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