An Orphans Love by Josephine Ajema- OVC programs coodinator

The story of seven-year old Mureithi reminds me of John 14:18 which says, ‘I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you’. We met him at a local church as we visited to see how the church is implementing the care and support of the orphans and vulnerable children in the community after being empowered through World Relief’s OVC program.

Mureithi was playing with a friend when we walked into the church’s neighborhood. He offered to take us to the church where the pastor was waiting for us along with the other beneficiaries. My eyes set on Mureithi, who seemed too small for his age, I kept thinking that something was seriously wrong with him. Despite all his seeming hardships he was pleasant.

‘I came alone, Mum is sick and at home,’ Mureithi said. The women present interjected and informed us that both his parents were dead and that the one he referred to as ‘mum’ was an aunt. This information really gave me a push to visit his home. As soon as we are done with our meeting at the church I asked the pastor if we could visit with Mureithi at his home. And that was how we ended up at the place Mureithi calls ‘home’.

Mureithi’s home is in the heart of the Kware slum in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado District and like typical slum housing is made of iron sheets (tin). Many are the times the simplicity and innocence of children completely sweeps me off my feet - no wonder they are the greatest in the kingdom of God.

‘Mum, mum, wake up, see I have brought home some visitors.’ shouted Mureithi. He encouraged us to sit on some seats that adorned the ‘sitting area’ of the one roomed house that is their abode. I felt between Mureithi and his aunt a deep and special love that only exists between a mother and son.

Mureithi’s aunt who has a severe eye problem made her way and sat with us in the ‘sitting room’. She is only twenty years old and her name is Mary. Mary explains that she took in Mureithi and his 4-year old sister after their parents died. At the time Mureithi and his sister were living with their grandmother who was unable to take care of them. Mary also explained that the church that we had visited earlier helps her care for the children, and has provided them with school fees. While they are at the school the pastor also gives them a meal. The women from the church also visit to encourage Mary and the children and to help them meet their daily needs.

As we leave I’m encouraged by the results of the program. I know that it has achieved some sustainability; this is why Mureithi and the sister have a home where their needs are met through the support of a caring church community.