Hope made flesh
A very special young Kenyan woman has been visiting Northern Ireland and Kilkeel Parish for the first time.
22 year old Gift has been representing the charity Many Hopes, an organisation with a big vision – to raise a generation of children who will lead with justice and fairness and defeat the causes of extreme poverty in Kenya.
Many Hopes co–founder Thomas Keown (pictured with Gift), grew up in Christ Church Kilkeel and his parents Dave and Jean are very active both in the parish and as Many Hopes supporters.
Indeed Gift embodies the charity. As a child, her circumstances were the trigger for the creation of the Mudzini Kwetu Girls’ Homes near Mombasa. She was the first of many Kenyan children that Many Hopes has rescued, educated and advocated for.
Gift has been meeting people and sharing her story in church and at a fundraising Afternoon/Evening tea in Christ Church Halls.
Gift’s story
Gift was six years old when her mother died from AIDS. She never knew her father and was left to raise her infant brother alone. While begging for food on the streets of Mombasa her brother died as she carried him on her back. She didn’t know he was dead and continued begging for several hours until some street boys found her and told her.
Not knowing what to do, the boys contacted Anthony Mulongo, a journalist who had befriended and fed them on the dumpsites where they lived.
When the streetboys told him of Gift, he took her into his house, hired a lady to look after her, and paid for her to attend school. She effectively became his daughter.
Now, 16 years later, having been raised in one of the family units at Many Hopes and given an education, Gift is studying Human Resources at a college north of Nairobi.
How marvellous for parishioners and supporters to finally meet the girl they have only seen in pictures.
Hope made flesh.
Read an earlier interview with Thomas Keown here.
Latest
Many Hopes can now give a home to both boys and girls and will shortly open an international school. In terms of advocacy, the charity is part of several long–term civil cases that will have national impact and affect children all over the country. There are also plans for a Young Justice Centre.