A Glimpse of How Children Come To Promise Springs Episode 2

Today, between 7 and 8 a.m. Kenyan Time, our staff: social worker Jackie, Boys' director. Patrick, and a social worker on attachment (internship), Abi, traveled to pick up the five children we introduced on Saturday.  This is the report we received from Patrick:

On 2nd September, 2025, I, Jackie (social worker) and Abi (social worker) went to Narumoru to collect five children who had been abandoned by their mother in a rental house.  Here is the background history of the family.

This is a family of five children and a mother who had been their guardian and provider.  The boys had been abandoned by their mother in a wooden rental house about two months back.  The landlord together with four other village elders and well wishers reported the case to the chief.  The chief informed the children's office of the case and the children's officer contacted our director, Florah, who organized the rescue.  Listed here are 3 girls and 2 boys as listed hereunder:

Samuel 13 years, Alice 8 years, John 7 year, Mary 4 years, and Grace 3 years.  We are not certain of their ages.  The information will have to be confirmed with birth certificates and other documentation that will be found in the process of family tracing.  

Samuel, the eldest seemed very happy that someone wanted to take care of them.  I, Patrick, interviewed him and found that on a normal day the mother would take the two youngest girls with her and leave him and his brother, John and Alice to fend for themselves.

From one of the well wishers, I learned that this is not the first time the mother has abandoned them.  She left them at a children's home and left for months before coming to claim them.  I, Patrick, saw Samuel's eyes well up with tears when I asked him what would happen if their mother came for them.  He protested the idea of being back with his mother profusely.

Grace the youngest clings onto her brother so much.  It took time for her to trust one of our social workers.  It is my (Patrick's) opinion, that we give them time together at the girls center before they can be separated.  

There were three well-wishers who came with its.  In their opinion, they needed to make sure the kids were in safe hands.  The women were very happy and they appreciated the work done by Vessels of Promise (The Kenyan company that is the equivalent of Two Burning Candles in America.) 

In a nutshell today was a success in every measure.  We went through the admission process successfully and now the boys and girls are settled at Promise Springs Rescue Center at Kona Bahati.

After Patrick shared this, his first rescue, with Ken and me, we asked him how he felt after this experience.

He replied, "It's humbling and a kind of learning one.  I felt touched by the boy when I mentioned his mother coming back for him.  He teared up and I thought to myself "Why would any parent want his child to be this desperate?"

We spoke with him about how addiction causes one to do things that are unbelievable.  We explained to him that if she survives and gets clean, she will carry a load of guild for her actions.

He said, "If she gets clean and comes for Samuel, I don't think I would trust her with him."

We encouraged him.  Ken told him that we have been given an amazing gift from God to make a difference in a child's life...one child at a time.  It's our job to commit and do the work to make it happen.  

I told him that I always pray that we will never be faced with having to give children back to those situations, but if we are forced, then we have to follow closely and keep the kids in our contact so that we know that they are not abused again.  I pray a lot.

He responded. I wish her well. Let's do our best for the kids.

Now we let these children learn to trust and get them into their proper classes in school.  We share Christ with them and love them.  And you all can pray for them and for their mother.  The situation is a difficult one but love and care covers a multitude of sins.