Joseph Kimani

Name: Joseph Kimani

Age: 12 years

Family: Single mother, Ann Njeri, with 4 children. Through Family Sponsorship Ann has been supported in setting up a green grocer business in their home town of Gatundu.

Background information: Due to neglect from his parents, Joseph came to Thika and started sleeping on the streets where he was for a long time before AfCiC staff found him and brought him to our Interim Care Centre (ICC) for intensive rehabilitation. After spending six months at the ICC, he was taken back home and reunited with his family. He was assisted in returning to school where he continues to do well despite new problems which have occurred since his rehabilitation.

Unfortunately, after Joseph had been sent home the family unit split up. Joseph’s father threw his wife and children out of the family home and Joseph’s mother, Ann Njeri, was forced to find a one roomed house to live in, carrying out casual jobs to try and make ends meet. Ann and her four children were forced to live in abject poverty; their house had only one bed and no mattress. The children had to sleep on sacks on the floor and they rarely have enough food to eat.

How Family Sponsorship Has Helped The Family: Ann has shown enthusiasm and commitment to start up her own business selling groceries so that she can provide a more adequate standard of living for her family. Family Sponsorship has helped the family by providing Ann not only with the opportunity to earn an income but by restoring some of her confidence after being mistreated by her husband. Now she is able to support her children it is hoped they will remain in school and have a better chance in the future.

Added: Dec 08