Regina’s parents passed away when she had just finished high-school, leaving her and her sister orphans. Although Regina lived in the slums she managed to find odd jobs to earn a little money. One day she was offered a job taking care of a 3 month old baby girl for a family. They needed someone to start work right away and so she welcomed the opportunity. Regina was earning regular money and her life started to turn around. She even had dreams of attending university. Things were going well for her.
One morning, the couple that she was working for went to distribute relief food to drought stricken areas. “I was asked to stay at the house to take care of their daughter Sally while they away for a few days”, explains Regina. Several days passed and there was no sign of Sally’s parents. Regina went to the police station to report missing persons. Another week went by and Regina and Sally were running out of food at home. “The landlord was demanding to be paid or we would be kicked out”.
Regina continues telling us her story. “One morning the police asked me to come down to the police station. I needed to identify some bodies. Nervously I went to the police station. I was told that a group of people had been kidnapped and killed by the Militia. Their bodies were dumped, rotting and mutilated. Some were not even identifiable. The 20 minutes I spent in the morgue that day were the longest minutes of my life. We needed to use Sally’s DNA in order to identify her mother.”
“After the funeral, I tried to locate any of Sally’s family members, but to no avail. Sally had no one – I couldn’t leave her, so together we moved. I was introduced to the Foster Family Loans Program where I completed some budgeting and small business management training and have just started my small business where I sell groceries. I am so grateful for this opportunity. I am confident that I will be able to support myself and little Sally.”
Thank you to all who contributed to grow the Foster Family Loans Program. It is changing lives.
In an instant, Ruth lost her home and her entire family after a lightning struck their house. After overcoming her grief, she planned to adopt a little orphan boy. This is her story.
49 SHARES
Mary could not have children of her own so three years ago, she decided to adopt a baby boy from the local orphanage.
15 SHARES
Little Joel became an orphan when his mother passed away but was recently adopted by his step grandmother, Nyanchoka. He is four years old and is expected to start school next year. Nyanchoka has been living alone since her husband died. Before Joel came into her home, she spent most of her time at her small tea farm, just waiting for the end of the day, then go home to her lonely house.
28 SHARES
In celebration of International Women's Day (March 8), we recognize Gladys and the many other women just like her who have amazing stories of endurance, empowerment, and hope. With the help of the Foster Family Loan's Program in Kenya, she has grown her small fire-wood business to sell second-hand clothes around the community. This is an important step for her to provide for herself and her new-found family.
46 SHARES
As a toddler, Michael was found abandoned near an orphanage entrance one morning. The workers took him in and gave him food and shelter. Michael stayed there til the age of three. This is when Venice enters his world. Venice and her husband tried for five years to have a child but were not able. They decided to adopt an orphan who needed a family, so they visited the orphanage and that's when they met Michael. They knew right then that Michael was meant to be theirs.
38 SHARES
Jared's mother enjoyed drinking and also gave the brew to her little boy. Often, the villagers would find the mother very drunk and little Jared sleeping in the cold. Jared would often get sick and almost died a few times. Finally, Jared's mother couldn't take care of him any more so she decided to sell Jared to one of her customers. Jared was sold for Kshs. 450 (US$4).
52 SHARES
