Craig Dyer, Bright Hope President

I met two boys this summer in Nairobi, Kenya and I can’t get them out of my mind. Their names are Vincent, age 16 and his younger brother Kevin, age 10. They also have a 14-year old sister named Unis. When I met them in their makeshift shack of a home in the center of a slum, I learned that they had lost their grandmother — their only living guardian just two weeks prior to our meeting.

Their parents had both died years earlier. The boys were obviously still reeling from this loss, and they were both in shock.

Vincent looks like a strong, able mature young man. I had to remind myself that he is just a frightened, grieving teenage boy. While I was with them, Vincent was just beginning to come to the full realization that now, he was the sole guardian for himself, his brother and his sister.

This family of children now has no income, no means of support and no one to guide them in the everyday decisions of their lives. They were alone, afraid and overwhelmed.

I asked them on that day if they had eaten anything. It was early afternoon, and their answer was “no.” As a matter of fact, I learned that it had been days since they had eaten last, and they were very hungry. When our visit ended, I found myself overcome with their deep sense of loss and the acuteness of their grief. I was also very concerned for their future. Their home is surrounded by violence, criminal activity, drunkenness and despair. And yet, Vincent told me he wants to be a pilot one day. How, I thought, would these children be able to overcome all they now faced and find their way toward a real future?

With your gift to our project in Kenya’s Mathare Valley, you can help boys like Vincent and Kevin right away.

We at Bright Hope are excited to let you know that a group of Chicagoland families (pictured above) are hosting their annual Neighborhood Garage Sale, which has raised money for poor children in Africa since 2004. During this event, kids and families donate and sell their used toys, books games, puzzles and stuffed animals. This year’s event will take place on August 22nd and 23rd, 2008, from 9 am to 4 pm. at St. John’s Lutheran School, 300 Jefferson Street, Algonquin, Illinios. Come by and show your support for the kids and families who so generously give of their time, talent and treasure for the at risk children in Kenya.

Please see attached flier!

Toy Sale Flyer