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Keep watching, we are updating. There are 56 total kids!
Left -Thomas Baraka (Blessing) was born on 3/24/2007. His mother was 15. She gave birth and left him abandoned at the hospital. Jeff calls him professor because he can repeat any word you say. He is extremely bright. Center -Jeremiah Nyota (Star) was six weeks old when he arrived in September 2007. He had been left along the side of the road in the city. He struggles a bit with asthma and other respitory issues, but otherwise is healthy. He loves to play with blocks and cars. Right -Paul Jamala (Good Manners) is a two year old who was tortured before being abandoned in June 2008. Although he is now very healthy physically, Paul still is slow to smile or laugh. He is starting to play with the other kids and participates more during preschool.
Left -Daniel Mshindi (Winner) joined us in December, 2007, at about 3 months of age. He had been abandoned at a market and taken to the police station. There has been no luck in tracing his parents. He is a healthy boy who smiles a lot and loves to play with the bigger boys. We have recently placed Daniel with foster parents, but will be monitoring his progress as well as his living conditions and welfare. Center -Samuel Mtoni (River), mostly known as "Sammy", was give the name Mtoni because he was found sitting on the bank of a small river where the women go to fetch water. It is believed that he was seperated from his family as they were running for safety during the violent clashes, following the disputed presidential election. The woman who found him kept him for six weeks as she tried to trace his family, but was not successful. Sammy is about three years old and has the greatest smile you've ever seen. Right -Mode Watura and his older brother Churchill were placed with us after their parents disappeared. Early in September 2009, the parents left their home and never returned. A neighbor lady took the two boys into her home while trying to trace their parents. They have never been found. The boys were placed with the Children's Office and then with us. Mode is a good little two year old who likes to push the babies around in their walkers and spend time with his big brother.
Left -Benny Taibu (Be Happy) was found in a market in December, 2006. He was recognized as being from a certain neighborhood, but his mother was never traced. After staying three months at a crisis rescue center, he was placed with us. He is about 5 years old and has started nursery school. He is a timid child with a great smile and loves to dance and sing. Center -KelvinWambua, after being beaten severely by his aunt (who was his guardian), was rescued by neighbors and taken to the hospital where he was treated for burns, cuts and bruises. The aunt was jailed for child abuse. Kelvin is about 9 years of age and covered with scars, head to toe, from many, many beatings. He now enjoys a life without beatings and is working hard in his first year of school. He is also enjoying his first pair of shoes! Although he has had some social issues, he is now interacting very well with people and especially likes making the babies laugh! He has also found his SMILE! Right -Isaac Bahati (Good Fortune) was a few weeks old when he was abandoned not far from a camp for internally displaced people. It is very likely that he was born in the camp. After keeping him for a few weeks, his mother, in desperation, left him on the side of the road, hoping someone would rescue him. He is a strong healthy baby who especially likes being carried on the backs of the workers.
Left -Betty was 8 months old when she was dropped at our gate early one morning in September, 2008. Her mother was arrested for abandoning her child. Betty is a beautiful healthy baby girl. She enjoys her walker while watching everything going on around her. Center -Elvis Wanyonyi was brought to us after being abandoned at the hospital by his mother in July, 2007. He was about 4 months old and extremely unhealthy and malnourished. He is now a happy healthy boy. He is very social and loves to be in the middle of whatever is going on. Right -Joshua Mbeja (Neat Person) was born prematurely on March 27, 2008. He weighed less then 2 lbs! Against all odds, he survived in a hospital that doesn't even have an incubator! He was placed with us on May 8th., weighing only 4 lbs. As of December, he weighs 7 lbs! He is a happy and active baby.
Left -Abendego, abandoned at birth, was premature weighing less then two pounds. He was born March 16th, 2008, but didn't leave the hospital until June 9th. Even then, he only weighed 3 pounds. With the help of nutritious baby formula and later Plumpy Nut Paste, he is now thriving! He is truly a miracle when you think howhe survived without an incubator or anyone to take care of him. Center -Peris Msafi (Clean) was found on the evening of February 26, 2008, on the steps of a Catholic church. She was only hours old. Beingborn during the political crisis and abandoned not far from where many displaced people were staying, it is possible that she was born to a mother who had lost everything and had no place to go. She is a beautiful healthy baby. Right -Philip Oaraja (Bride) was found on a farm at Moi's Bridge Town and taken to the police station. He was placed with us on Sepember 2, 2008 and began walking the very next day! He is an active, talkative toddler who loves to play with the other boys his age!
Left -Ronnie Muhalia was abandoned at the hospital in early October at about six weeks of age. A few days later, we got a call from the Children's Office to bring him in for a meeting. When we arrived, we saw an old woman who was obviously in very poor health. She was Ronnie's grandmother who had heard from a neighbor that Ronnie was at the hospital. Her daughter had abandoned her baby. Due to her poor health and short life expectancy, the grandmother could not care for him, but spoke blessings over him and us and said she could now "sleep" knowing he was in good hands. Center -Teddy Othiambo came to our home in May, 2008 after his mother abandoned him in a locked house for more than a week! He was in terrible condition, very malnourished and weak. With close monitoring and a special diet, we nursed him back to health. We were devastated when a judge ordered that he would be given back to his mother who had left him for dead. We prayed for God to intervene and He did! After only a few weeks, Teddy's mom contacted the Children's Office admitting that she could not care for him and requesting that he be returned to us! He is again doing very well, getting stronger by the day. Right - Abraham Jasiri (Brave) is one of many babies who have been abandoned at camps for internally displaced people around the country. He was abandoned in July at the age of six weeks. Although small, Abraham was healthy from the beginning. He is now six months old and is starting to interact with the other babies.
Left -Naiomi Shangwe (Rejoicing) came to us as a newborn only 2 days old, on February 28, 2008. Her cord had been tied with a dirty piece of string and was infected. The woman who brought her to the Children's Department was a vegetable vendor who had been working at a road side stand. The young girl asked her to hold the baby for a minute while she ran home to get the baby some clothes. She never came back. She is a healthy baby who loves music! Center -Eliza Wambui was 3 or 4 years old when she came to us in March, 2008. She had lived on the streets with a mentally unstable mother her entire life. She has had some adjustments to make.She didn't like sleeping in a bed or eating at a table. She is now very well adjusted and is doing well in preschool. Eliza lights up the room with her smile and is very tender hearted. Right -Joseph Mwiti (Forest) was born on a cold, rainy day and abandoned at birth in the forest. When we were called to pick him up, he was only hours old. His lips were blue and his body temperature was very low. We took him home and made him a bed on a camp shower filled with warm water (our make shift incubator). His temperature returned to normal. He is a fragile baby whohas testedpositive for the HIV antibodies, but our hope is that his status will change since his mom never breast fed him.
Left -Joyce Taraji (Hope) was abandoned at about 2 weeks old on October 28th, 2008. She was found on someone's farm, not too far from a camp for people who were driven from their homes during tribal clashes earlier in the year. She is a beautiful, healthy baby girl who is very alert and content. Center -Hope Elizabeth'smother gave birth to her May 1, 2007 at the district hospital. When she was released to go home, she left Hope under the bushes outside the hospital and went on her way. Hope's grandmother has tried to get custody of her but has been ordered by the courts to produce her daughter to face charges of abandonment. So far, she has refused to do so. Hope is a bright, happy girl who makes everyone smile! She loves to dance! Right -Rehema (Mercy) Gracewas the first baby that God brought to us on July 14th, 2006. She was saved by God's Mercy and Grace, thus her name. Rehema's mother gave birth to her in a corn field and just walked away, leaving the newborn baby behind. She survived two days in that field, being protected from the rain and the sun by the big leaves of the corn stalks. She was found by kids taking a short cut to school. She had dog scratches on her belly and was dehydrated. She spent three days in the hospital and then was turned over to us. Rehema is a healthy toddler who likes to help take care of the tiny babies.
Left -Mercy Neema (Mercy) was born March 9, 2008, in a small clinic not far from a camp for people who had been displaced due to the violence which took over Kenya following the December, 2007 presidential elections. The nurse who runs the clinic said that she knows all the local people. This woman was a stranger. We assume she came from the camp. The woman gave birth in the evening.During the night when the nurse was asleep, she disappeared. The nurse cared for the baby for three days, hoping the mother would return for her. Mercy is a very beautiful and healthy girl. Center -Brian Kamari came to us, along with his three siblings, in September of 2006, at the age of six. His mother died of AIDS in 2004 and because his father was unable to care for them, they were forced to beg neighbors for food. In mid 2008, their father also passed away, leaving them orphaned. Brian was very unhealthy when he arrived at the home, due to malnutrition and IEV. He is now on regular treatment and receives a healthy diet so is a fairly healthy, active boy. He is in class one (1st grade) and especially enjoys playing soccer. Right -Brian ( Bafo) Sogoro) came from our neighborhood in Kesogon and began hanging out at the place in 2005. He came to stay with us full time in June, 2006 after his father agreed that he was not able to take care of him properly. His dad continued to visit him every now and then for a few months, but hasn't been senn since the first part of 2007. Bafo is about 8 years old and has struggled with ADD, which has caused him a lot of trouble in school. We now have a private teacher and it has helped him tremendously. Bafo is a loving kid who likes to help out with chores around the house and is good with the little ones.
Left -Churchill - Early in the month of September, his parents left their home and never returned. A neighbor lady took Churchill (5) and his brother Mode into her home. The parents were never found and after about a month, the lady reported the case to the Children's Office and the boys were placed with In Step. He loves to run and play with the other boys and takes good care of his little brother. Center -Shirlyn There arrived, along with her three siblings, in September, 2006. She was nine years old but very small and weak for her age, due to malnutrition and HIV. Their mother died of AIDS in 2004 and because her father was not able to care for his kids, they were forced to beg for food from neighbors. Her father also passed away earlier in 2008. Now that Shirlyn receives regular medical treatment and a nuritious diet, she is a healthy, active eleven year old girl. She is very bright and holds the number two position in her third grade class. She also enjoys helping around the house and taking care of the babies. Right -Jessica Wamboi came to us in July of 2006, along with her brother James, after being abandoned by their mother for 4 months. The old man, whom the kids were left with, would tie Jessica's leg to the bed post every morning when he left the house and then return in the evening with a few bites of bread which he would soak in water. Because she wasn't getting enough to eat, she would pick at the mud/manure floor and eat that. This caused a very serious case of intestinal worms, which would have eventually taken her life. She is now 4 years old and healthy, but does seem slightly delayed developmentally. She is now really trying to talk and she loves to help take care of the babies. She is a real people person. Everyone who knows her, loves her!
Children's Home
In July of 2006, God brought the first baby to Jeff and Carla at the small house they built in Kesogon. Before the move in March of 2008, they had 34 children. Now Rehema Ministries and In Step Foundation are building a Children's Home Compound in the Cherangani Hills.The ministry owns ten acres with the option to buy an additional ten that is attached to it. The Picicci's along with the Panzero's, are founders and full-time missionaries. While the Picicci's are in Africa running In Step Foundation, the Panzero's are in the States raising funds to build more homes. Now the work begins for 2009 for the next home, medical clinic, land and cafeteria. Phase 3 will be the pre-school, church, Tech Center and more. BIG PLANS, BIG GOD!
When you read about the homeless children and the number of deaths in Africa, it doesn't seem real. We have people ask us all the time what we think when we see the TV documentaries. They want to know if it is for real. I am sad to say it is. Everyone thinks that AIDS is the biggest killer in Africa, but malaria kills more children than any other disease according to statistics from The New York Times Oct. 26, 2007. Life expectancy in Africa is 45 for an adult and for children under 5, 1 in 5 survive.
IN MEMORY OF THOSE WE LOVED
Along with the joy of bringing these children into the Children's Home, also comes sadness. Many of these children, by the time they get to Jeff and Carla, are on the edge of death. And we have to prepare ourselves to be able to let go.We have lost four children. We pray that we don't have to lose anymore.
Mark Steven had been abandoned and left to die. He was four years old and weighed about twelve pounds. He was so dehydrated, even his eyelids would not close. Carla spent six weeks caring for him in the hospital so that he could be given IV's. When they allowed him to go home with them, everyone celebrated. He fought a six month battle for his life, but everything in his body had been so weakened, he just couldn't hold on. He died August 13, 2007 in Carla's arms, knowing he was loved and all the children coming in to tell him they loved him. I personally believe that the Lord gave him to them so he would know love instead of dying in an empty hut. Below are pictures of Mark Steven when he first got there and just before he died. He looked so healthy on the outside but there was just to much damage to his organs from starvation, It is so heartbreaking to know that he didn't have to die, if the parents would have just dropped him off at the hospital.
   
Emanuel, known as Manny, was four months old and weighed four and a half pounds when he came to the Children's Home. He was suffering from malnutrition and was given a blood transfusion at the hospital. Due to the fact that the hospital had run out of oxygen, Manny struggled to breathe and passed away on May 28, 2007, in Carla's arms. Jeff had them put a window in Manny's coffin. He couldn't stand the thought of him being in the dark. We now have a doctor on staff and we won't loose another one because of the lack of life giving oxygen.
Winnie died of complications from cerebral palsey. She died on September 22, 2008. Winnie always had a smile and simply fell asleep and never woke up. Like so many of our children Winnie was abandoned, most likely because of her illness.
Levis Pkiach, lovingly known by Grandma Joyce as Levy, died on December 1, 2008. He died from complicatons of malaria due to his low immune system. He was HIV positive. He had been at the Children's Home about three months. We think he was about 13 months old. He was found on the roadside in a pile of rags with only his immunization record. If the only reason he was brought to us was for him to know he was loved, then we were successful. Not only was he loved, but he will forever be in our hearts.
  
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This logo & Rehema's logo were created by Paulette Howard as a gift for her Aunt Joyce. These shoes were worn by one of the children when they arrived at the home. The toes of the shoes had been cut out because they were too small. And these are in good shape compared to most.
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