David, his mother and a priest sat across from the Emmanuel staff members. The priest explained that he had met David on the streets and reunited him with his mother only to discover that she was dying. She was staying with a friend who was unable to provide for David and his two siblings. The priest had taken the two younger children to an AIDS hospice. The hospice would not take David, who was HIV negative.

 

As the priest told this story, David sat next to his mother staring at his knees. The priest was young and near tears. The staff members tried to explain that Emmanuel Center was full. There were hundred of thousands of AIDS orphans in Kenya and the center was already caring for as many as possible. The priest asked, "But what can I do?"

So the staff members did what they had to - they found a way. The priest bought a bed mattress and a school uniform for David. A spot was cleared for him in the younger boys' room.

 

At the gate to Emmanuel Center the young priest smiled, patted David on the head and told him to work hard at school. David's mother knelt in front of him and gave him a last hug. All of a sudden David was alone in a new home where he did not know anyone. One of the older boys took him by the hand and showed him where to wash, where to sleep and where to play. Within a few months David was playing football with the other children and excelling at school.

 

David's mother died shortly after she left him at Emmanuel Center. Within a year his two siblings were also dead. The only family he now has are the other children at Emmanuel Center.