Rehema Ministries/dba In Step Foundation, Kenya
Michelle
Arrived November 2011, She was found wandering on the street where the fair had been. She was dressed nice wearing dress shoes and even her ears were pierced with pretty earrings. She was well taken care of and just didn’t seem like a child that they would just abandoned.
Willy Willingstone
Arrived September, 2011, Willingstone was very small and malnourished. His mother was only 14 years old. She was barely producing enough milk to feed her child on a regular basis.
It is a sad, sickening story and so common. The step-father is the father of the baby. He is now in prison. The girl’s mother is believed to be mentally unstable.
When the mother of Willy arrived at the court, she eyed Carla and Meredith up and down. Not a single smile cracked from her lips. When the children’s officer told her they would be taking the baby to the children’s home, she did not want to release her baby until she talked to her mother. The children’s officer took the girl to her family’s home to retrieve her mother. When they returned, the mother to the girl (grandmother to the baby), was explaining to her daughter that this was the best thing for her baby. This way, she could still go to school and then be able to provide for her child someday. We explained that she would be able to come and see her child at any time. She handed the baby over. Meredith kissed his forehead, looked up to the mother and gave her a nod. And then Carla and Meredith saw it. A smile broke across this 14-year olds face. A big smile. She began laughing and joking with her mother. It was like she was 14 again. And the weight of the world, and this baby, had been lifted off her shoulders. Willy has a great home now and 104 brothers and sisters to love him.
Melvin
Arrived July 2009, Melvin was very sick when he arrived. He had a severe case of TB. We suspect that is why he was abandoned. We would like to think they left him in hopes that he would receive medical care. It is so sad that the parents can’t afford to take their children in for treatment. This is why our medical center will be such a blessing to the community.
Melvin when he arrived.
Everline Hope Nafula
Arrived May 2011, Evie was 18 months old. Evie and her brother were taken into protective custody after reported abuse. She spent just over two months in the hospital with third-degree burns on her buttocks, thighs and bottoms of her feet as a result of being placed on a geko (small charcoal burner).