Imagine waking up one morning as a child in Kenya, and your mother is sick. Day by day, things get a little worse, until one day, you learn that you and your siblings are going to a children’s home for a few weeks while your mother goes to the hospital.
Imagine the thoughts and feelings swirling through your mind as you arrive at your new home for a while. Imagine the fear, the concern... all the questions. And then, a pandemic hits. You go weeks without hearing from your mother.
Just as you're starting to adjust to your temporary home away from home, the worst news possible about your mom arrives, and just like that... without any notice, you find yourself alone in the world, without a mother.
For siblings Leonida, Esther, William, and Nicholas, this story isn’t something they have to imagine. It’s the story they’re living.
Today they’re grieving, but they’re not alone. They’re safe in the loving arms of the house parents and staff at the Village who are grieving with them. They arrived just in time.
Esther told us, “When I first came here, I was anxious. As time goes by, I have come to truly appreciate the care I am getting here.”
There are always children in need – whether for a few days, weeks, or years. Because of you, our arms are always open when the need comes up, so that we can respond quickly.
Thank you for joining the Always Open Arms campaign, and for opening your arms to Leonida, Esther, William, Nicholas, and countless children just like them. Thank you for giving so they can be surrounded by love and care during this time of terrible loss and grief. Would you join us in prayer for these four siblings as they continue processing the loss of their mother?
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