There are about 40 kids staying at Emmanuel Center at any one time. They are between the ages of seven and 19, and all go to school or training. They all have amazing stories of overcoming suffering on the streets and finding a loving home at Emmanuel Center. Two of them decided they would like to share their stories with you!

Dear Friend

Let me tell you about my life: I was born at a place called Ukumbai in which it was too difficult to live because of drought and famine. Many times I was suffering and hungry. Sometimes the landlord would come to our house and chase us out. I left when there was no money to pay my secondary school fees and came to Nairobi to live on the streets.

One day God saw my suffering and He had made Daniel (Emmanuel Center Director/Founder) to help needy people. I came to Emmanuel Rescue Center and talked to Daniel. He received me with a peaceful and loving heart and he took me to secondary school so that I could progress with my studies. Now I am in form two (grade nine) and would like to thank God for our director Daniel for helping us with our basic needs.

I would like to shape my life in future in order to have a good life. In my future career I would like to be a doctor so I can treat people who are suffering.

Dear Friend

Let me tell you how I became a street boy. I once woke up early in the morning in the dust bin where we used to sleep as usual. It was around three o'clock in the night, and the wind had woken me. I started recalling what had happened that I became a street boy and I could not get to know why. It was too discouraging to me. All I remember was the beautiful life we had as a family. Our life was more than that of a king. I can not really imagine it was my mother whom we played childish games with. I really can not also imagine how she made me sit on her legs and fed me. She could also kiss me a thousands times whenever I finished eating. Our life was too heavenly. I do not know whether you can feel it, but it's really burning my heart. She became more stressed when my father died and then she got ill also. I was too young when my father died, around five years, and I did not cry much. I was satisfied with my mother. With the death of our father, half of our life was gone. My mother's sickness did not stop, and she followed my father two years later. I cried so much, I wept all over until I was half way crazy. I also prayed that God would take away my life. I was lifeless. I thank God that he cooled my tempers halfway...

Even though I was born to suffer, I am sure suffering will not last forever. All I need and am seeking is Love. I don't need material things, they will soon fade away and I am used to poverty. I realize that having a lot of money and wealth, that is not all we call good life. Good life is Love. I have a good life here at Emmanuel Center.