Former street boy Joseph marries

In October, former street boy Joseph Karanja married Rebecca

Joseph was orphaned at the age of seven. His grandmother tried to care for him but was too poor to cope with an extra mouth to feed, so Joseph went to live on the streets of Naivasha. 

He was one of the first boys to be offered a place at the newly-opened Sunshine Home. 

He settled in well, and we then helped him secure a place at Naivasha Polytechnic to learn to be a tailor.

Joseph showed great skill, and, on completion of his course, was taken on by the Ukweli school uniform shop as a full-time employee.

Joseph continued to do well and has since been promoted - he can turn a metre of cloth into a shirt in less than forty minutes! 

His new wife Rebecca is also an orphan, and Joseph's church turned out in force to wish the couple well in their marriage. Joseph is a popular member of the church and signs in the choir.

Perhaps we should feed our boys better!!

Actually our former street boys at the Sunshine Centre are extremely well fed. Each day they tuck into huge plates of ugali and githeri (Kenyan favourites), supplemented with vegetables from the Centre's small farm. 

The boys are holding up books and new lab equipment for their school (sadly, to replace materials that were stolen in a theft at the school). 

The boys are grateful they can resume their studies - the end of year exams are looming!

Improving the lives of street boys and their families

During the summer we received a number of generous gifts which we have used to help the families of two of the (former) street boys we care for at the Sunshine Rehabilitation Centre in Naivasha, Kenya.

We have provided a new wheelchair for Ernest (the father of Sunshine Boy Denis Mwangi who broke his back in a quarry accident), and new calipers and shoes for Patrick Ngoiyi’s parents Jeremiah and Jane who have suffered from the results of polio since they were children.

Footsteps trustees Martin and Mary Print met both families during recent visits to Kenya, and plan to visit again in October to see what a difference you have made!

Kenya Marafun winner gets an extra special prize

Peter Njoroge very happy when he was awarded the trophy for being the fastest runner in the Kenya Marafun in May.

We later found out that he came from a very poor family and worked as a casual labourer to earn money to enter races around the country.

So as an extra ‘prize’ for winning the Kenya Marafun Footsteps is sponsoring Peter for 6 months so he can be given professional coaching. We will soon find out if he has the ability to join the ranks of Kenya’s elite runners!

Kenya Marafun is a whole load of FUN

Setting up - watched by two giraffes!

We're off - 250 runners (and walkers) running
through Hell's Gate National Park

Last, but not least - Martin Print helped by our Sunshine Boys

50 younger Sunshine Boys also ran their own 5k race

The UK team did great work painting
the Sunshine Centre dining hall

Next year's Kenya Marafun is on

19 May 2018

Emily graduates as a nurse

Emily was one of the original group of 12 orphaned and abandoned children we started to care for at our newly built Tumaini Children's Home in 2004. She thrived under the care of 'mum and dad' Charles and Mary, did well at school and finished her degree course in 2016. The top photos were taken at her graduation ceremony at the university in Nairobi.

Robert Masinde (bottom left) comes from a very poor family and was struggling to earn a living as a washing up assistant at a hotel in Naivasha. We are delighted we have been able to help him start to train as an electrical installer at the Naivasha Technical Training Institute where he started in January.

Naomi (bottom right) is also one of our original group of 12 orphaned and abandoned children. She is training in hotel and restaurant management. The photo shows her checking out the comfort of one of the beds at La Belle Hotel where she is working for 3 months as part of her course.

Who is chicken!

Thank you everyone who bought a M.A.D. gift this Christmas to support our work. The Christmas chickens have been delivered (they only ever travel first class!). The photos show some of the happy people who received a gift!

Don't forget that the Kenya International Marafun is in May. See www.kenyamarafun.com for details of this life-changing adventure!