Children of Upendo

Esther is a 7 year old girl with many siblings, her mother was unable to take good care of them. They used to sleep outside at times and went out of food very often. One day she and her older sister Mary couldn't take this life as it was any more an ran away from their mother. They were taken by the police and after stayning in a childrens remand home they were committed to UCC. Now she is a very hapy and joyfull girl who laughs a lot!

Simon is a very sweet 4 year old boy. His neighbours took him and his sister Purity to the police station because their mother neglected them. Simon was malnourished because his mother often left him and his sister without food. He has been exposed to many dangers. Simon and Purity were brought to UCC. Their mother was later taken by the police. Simon is a very quiet boy, who likes to observe with a little smile around his lips. He is a very gentle sweet boy.

 

 

 

Sponsored by Nick Moonen

John is one of the smallest children in Upendo. He is named after volunteer Johan, who was there when John came to Upendo. He was crying a lot when he came to Upendo, he even had a 'navelbreukje' because of his constant crying. Now he is smilling a lot and he's turning into a happy boy!

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by Anniek en Paul Meijnen/Vaessen

Janet is a smart girl of 13 years of age, she became first of her year in school, we are so proud!!! She is one of the elder children and helps a lot around the house, a sweet girl! Her mother has died when Janet was 6 years old and she was left under the care of the grandparents. Her grandparents were not able to take care of Janet due to their own problems. She was committed to UCC. She is a ver proud and beautiful girl.

 

 

 

Sponsored by Pieter Hormes en Mariette Jacobs

David doesn't live in Upendo all the time. He was a streetboy who was brought to boarding school by Tessa. Before he went to boardingschool, he has been in a programm called AFCIC, who deals with streetboys and their family. David's mother and siblings live in a slum, he sees them on regular basis. He is a very smart boy, who has a great future ahead of him! In his holidays he he goes either to his mother or to Upendo, his new home!

Imma is a true sweetheart! She never complaints or fights and is very good in school. Her father is unknown and her mother died a few years ago. She was raised by her grandmother. Together with her 2 cousins, Kevin and Mary, she was brought to UCC because the grandmother couldn't take good care of the children. Imma is always the first to help out, she is like a little mother to the small children!

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by Annette & Silke Janssen/Jacobs

Kevin's mother died a few years ago and his father is unknown. He is the brother of Mary and a cousin to Imma. Kevin is a nice boy, who does very well in school. He likes to play with the other children and feels responsible for them. Kevin likes to pose on foto's and he loves to help Jackson (manager) with 'male' work, he feels very responsible because he was one of the first in UCC. 

Mary is a really nice girl. Her father is unknown and her mother has died a few years ago. She was living with her grandmother who couldn't take care of her. Mary, her brother Kevin and their cousin Imma were the first children in UCC. We still have a lot of contact with the grandmother and other relatives. Mary laughs a lot and is growing very tall!

Naftali was one of the first children in UCC. He was living on the streets, while he was only 3 years old! There is hardly any news about his past, there are no relatives known by the DCO or police. He is a very happy boy, feels very much at home in UCC and attaches himself very easily to people. When people leave he is always very sad and silent. Naftali is very clever. He takes good care of the other children and he really likes going to school.

 

 

 

Sponsored by Christel Verhoeven

Maina is a very lovely boy. His mother died and his father went in jail for terrible crimes and Maina was left with his stepmother who mistreated him. He ran away or was left alone on the streets. There he was picked up by the police, at age 5 and brought to UCC. He was very wild in the beginning but after some treatment in the hospital he is a very sweet boy now. He listens very well, and does really good in school.

Little Kevin is an always smiling little boy. He calls everyone "mama" !! He is very happy in UCC, likes to laugh and play! He doesn't go to school yet, he is still to small. His father was a soldier, that is why his nckname is soldier as well! His mother is unknown, what happened to his father is unknown too. He was brought to UCC by the District Child Office.

 

 

 

 

Sponsored by Erik Megens

The youngest girl in UCC. She ws only 7 months old when she came to UCC, straight from the maternity ward in the hospital. She was brought to UCC by the District Child Office. Her mother locked her in a very small house in the slum to go away to make money. Neighbours took her to the police station who brought her to the hospital. Her mother was jailed, her father is unknown. She is the sweetheart of all the other kids who care for her a lot! She has grown a lot and is turning into a big girl now!

Patrick is a small boy of about 2years of age. He was left at the local market. His background is unknown, he is named after Patrick, Tessa's father. We also gave him a Kikuyu name Mungai (given by God).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                    

Purity is a 15year old girl who has been an orphan for overhalf of her life. She lived with her brother in a small. Her brother, who never finished his school is about 22 years of age and goes to Nairobi a lot to look for work. Purity stayed alone, with an unlocked door. She helped Janet when she was chased away by takin her in her shed. the girls have been best friends for ages! With Janet we went to her old school and found Purity. Her headmaster told us her story and we decided to take Purity in Upendo as well. So now the to best friends are reunited as sisters! Purity is a big help to the housemothers, she does very well in school too.  

 Julienna was only taken in by Upendo last August. Her parents and background are still being traced by the DCO. Till then she enjoys her stay in Upendo!