I just want to share with you about some of the exciting things coming up. As you all know, I am working in various places around Kenya (mostly Nairobi and Nyanza provinces) with children with special needs. These children are often left to sit in the home or are even abandoned. Many disabilities are still not understood in this country. It is often thought that the family has wronged God in some way. In turn, it is though that the child is possessed and is tossed aside as "a fool."
It is my firm belief that God has a purpose for us all. I don't think He limited that to just those that develop in a "normal" way. I think that often He has a very special plan for those that are different from others. I think they are truly God's special children. I hope that I can help others understand this and that I can give these children a chance to find God's will for themselves. Afterall, I am often the one that is affected by the plan God has for their lives. It never ceases to amaze me when these kids make the tiniest of achievements, but aknowledge it in monumental ways. I have also come to see what kind of affect it has on others. It may be the desire to serve or the realization that our own lives are not so bad afterall; but, it always seems to me that these kids make an impact on those around them.
Last month, I mentioned Leon. Leon was given an opportunity to walk again through CURE organization. They provided him with free surgery to correct his severely clubbed feet. I just want to report that he is recovering well and looks forward to dancing when his casts are off.
This time, I want to tell you about a little boy named Owen. Owen is from one of the slum areas here in Nairobi. He is 9 years old and has Autism (yes... it is even on the rise here in Kenya). His mother cannot afford school fees for a special school and cannot make the long transport to Heshima (where Leon attends). However, once a month, his mother puts him on the bus and brings him to a free clinic. I have been seeing this family for quite some time. Owen has a mother who's faith continues to amaze me. Her husband left her, accusing her for their son's "craziness." She has not been able to work because their is no one who will watch "the little boy that is possessed." She lives in the poorest of situations and brings Owen with her to sell whatever she can in the market. However, Owen has had little to no intervention, increasing his behavioural outbursts, and she often has to leave without selling anything at all. Her neighbors look at her funny. Her family does not come around. Still this mother continues to find ways to help her son that she loves very much.
You see, most mothers would have dropped Owen off somewhere. Some have even been known to kill their children. Not Mama Owen. Even though it is against the social norms of the culture... she has brought her son out in the open. She travels with him on public means. She seeks any help she can get. Because of this, she has encouraged others in similar situations to do the same. These mothers just needed permission and validation to have their children be seen. I am not saying that things have changed completely. We have a long way to go. But, it is good to see that Kenyan women (although often accused of not) do have the ability to be heard. They can make a voice for themselves and their children.
If you thought this story was sad... it gets harder. Mama Owen recently called to let me know that Owen had been missing for about 2 weeks. He just wandered out of the house. They had looked for him for 2 weeks and eventually found him cowering in a sewage type drain. He had amoebas and parasites and would often cry uncontrollably. He is not able to communicate what he experienced during this time. He has recently been admitted to the hospital, unable to recover from these illnesses. He is very sick. He is frightened and does not understand what is happening. His autism denies him the ability to reason or understand what ppl are saying to him.
Please pray for peace for him and that the doctors are able to heal is little body. Pray that as his speech and language therapist, I able to help the doctors and nurses be able to communicate what they need to him. Pray that God is able to comfort him when words cannot. Pray for Mama Owen as she continues to fight to get her son the help that he needs.
Good News: April 14th is Autism Awareness Day. This day takes place throughout most of the world. We have teamed with some area hospitals to really let this day bring awareness. There will be several big events held around Nairobi to encourage people to come and learn more about this disability. There will be fun for kids, speakers and entertainment. Way to go, Kenya for recognizing the need for change when it comes to Autism. By raising awareness, we hope to help people understand the disability that affects children like Owen and his family. We hope that more schools will find ways to provide services to these children. And, we hope that the government of Kenya recognizes the need to take care of all of the children in their country in ways that provide them with lives of quality. I will let you know how the day goes. Be sure to share with all!!!
If you want to join me in helping children with special needs, please click on the link to the right to learn how to give on line or by US mail. Your support of any magnitude is appreicated... it is what keeps me here. You can also find links to Heshima and CURE to learn more about these organizations.
Much much love,
Jenny
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