GO! | Fortune Learners Centre -Part III
April 28, 2020 -by Charles Owino
Family in Focus
William and Naomi are orphans; they lost their mum who was the breadwinner some six years ago. The father, who is a pastor and painter, was left to care for three children, including the child whose birth had led to their mother’s death. This situation proved to be increasingly difficult because jobs were hard enough to come by -especially with an infant to care for. The two orphans joined Fortune in January 2017. The widower had been linked to us by one of our social workers. The children had been unable to attend school, because their father couldn’t didn’t have the funds to pay for their school fees. We accepted them with no school shoes and no school uniform. We were able to provide them with an education, but unfortunately didn’t have the resources to feed them. Food would then become the biggest challenge to the family, due to the father’s minimal and irregular income. GO! came to their aid, and the two were lucky to be a part of the scholarship program now available at Fortune Learners Centre through our partnership. In addition, they now receive food at school too.
“I am very happy to be considered for this chance to attend school. I used to be hungry at school; my fellow pupils used to laugh at me when I asked them for food because I used to come to school without. I now have a lot of energy. I play football a lot and I like reading. My grades have also improved, and I come to school every day because I am sure of porridge and lunch. Weekends and holidays are my bad days because I go without food sometimes.” -William Omondi, a beneficiary in the scholarships provided by Global Orphan Relief through our partnership.
I visited their home on Friday the third of April 2020, for a photo, but was shocked to see their current living condition. They are living in a school that looks like an abandoned building. The father told me that in March, his former landlord threw away his household items in broad daylight; even the cries from Naomi and William couldn’t make him soften his stance. He had rent debts for four months, reaching $120. He couldn’t raise this money. A friend linked him to the school building so that they can live there for a time before the children go back to school. He was in great pain when I visited; he had been pricked badly by a nail and hadn’t received treatment. They hadn’t eaten in days, so I did what I could and bought them some food.
“Mwalimu (teacher), I am very grateful for your kindness. If it was not for Fortune, my children wouldn’t be in school and send my greetings to the people who are sponsoring Naomi and William. May God bless you and them.” -Pastor Barrack, father to William and Naomi.
Global Orphan Relief has been partnered with the Fortune Learners Centre since January 2020 based on our visit to the school in 2019. We are honored to be able to work with Charles and his team at this community school in the Kayole district of Nairobi, Kenya.
Today we serve 33 orphaned children within this partnership. These children are served and funded through our Scholarship Initiative. Fortune Learners Centre has been serving the vulnerable children of Kayole since 2013. To join our efforts to send orphaned children to school see our 2020 Scholarship Fund for more details!
You may send support or other correspondence to Global Orphan Relief, 16352 Prairie Farm Cir, Parker, CO 80134 or you may give also give electronically at Global Orphan Relief.
Movement of FAITH | Voice of HOPE | Act of LOVE