Safari in the Aberdares
It was a wonderful experience for the children and the staff! A guest visiting the children’s home asked the children what they wished for, and they said, “We want to go on a safari in the Aberdares.” Martin and Birgit sponsored the safari. Petra made it possible, with three cars and drivers like Isaiah, Tessa, and Petra herself. They packed a picnic and went to about 3,400 meters in altitude, to waterfalls, animals, and the highlands of the Aberdares. At the headquarters, the kids received additional information about the animals they might see.
It was an impressive experience for everyone. Many, many thanks!!!
Kids in the boarding highschool!!!
Since February, the oldest children have been attending different boarding highschools in Nyeri district. One child even achieved the fifth-best report card in Nyeri County. His goal is to become a surgeon!!! He has good prospects of achieving this. I assured him that I would find sponsors to support him financially in his studies if he manages to go to university. We wish them both much success and are very proud of them! (The school requires significantly higher costs.)
Our children are becoming teenagers!!!
The children’s home in Kenya has now been established for five years, and some kids have entered puberty. They question, want to make their own decisions, or refuse to do things for the community. Cleaning up, going to bed, or leaving the premises becomes a “constant discussion.” Who doesn’t know this as parents!!!! The sweet little children are becoming personalities who “rebel” and influence the younger kids. Ann and Lucy now also have to deal with this; instructions are ignored, not followed, demands are made, they want to go their own way and feel that “adults exaggerate” and are too “cautious.”
Questions arise: Did I really have to leave my family and grow up here in the home? Why should I call Ann “Mama,” she is not my mother, etc. Ann handles this with experience. She offered them to call her “Ann.” One girl was allowed to visit her parents during the holidays to experience once more what home feels like!?
Education in Kenya cannot be compared to Europe. The children must obey because it is too dangerous to let them roam the neighborhood unsupervised. The children come from difficult, troubled, conflict-ridden, and poor family systems. They are beaten, oppressed, hungry, and forced to fend for themselves from an early age.
Ann asked us for help. Some children came to Petra and me to complain. We praised the kids for addressing the conflicts and expressing their opinions. We encouraged them to observe themselves as well, which is necessary to live respectfully and responsibly in a community.
We advised Ann to seek conversation during conflicts and to accompany the kids individually or in group discussions. Listen to needs, uncertainties, and opinions, and find solutions together within their scope of responsibility. Take their development seriously and help them understand why they are in the home. We advised the whole team to work more closely together as a unit and take responsibility collectively. They should also accompany more activities with the kids outside the home, helping them understand and evaluate their culture (e.g., attending a festival or a neighborhood football game). They should feel protected while understanding the dangers they face.
Petra continued to offer herself as a contact person for everyone.
