October 2011
Tuesday was a joyous day in Mathare. The two classrooms that were rebuilt, after the fire, were officially opened by the MCO Board Chairman, Francis Namuya. There was a little ceremony from 11 AM to 12 PM.
I (Dotun Modupe, Partnership Developer) was encouraged to see their excitement and joy as the classrooms were opened. Most of the teachers and past students were particularly gleeful. For them, it was a dream come true as they were taught in mud or iron sheet classrooms. The sight of nicely built brick classrooms with tiled floors were just beyond them and they were truly thankful.
February 2011
Daniel Ochieng is a cobbler in the Mathare Valley slum. He's trying to raise two boys on his own on a meager income and stay healthy as he battles HIV.
The story of Daniel's family reached Outreach Community Church through a concerned neighbor. They knew the church helped families who were really struggling. The pastors visited Daniel and took him to the hospital for treatment. The children were admitted to the Danoko Academy School and are now active in class work.
Daniel was admitted to the hospital and has improved greatly because of the ARV drugs being administered to him for free. His two boys receive help to pay their tuition through the help of the church. And today, Daniel is very happy and says he has seen God working in his life and that of his children. He says he is grateful to the Church and to Bright Hope for supporting him and his children to pull through at their most difficult moment . He says he has seen God helping him when the road had come to an end for him and his children.
September 2010
Extreme poverty is a breeding ground for violence and abuse. It's in the midst of this darkness that our partner Outreach Community Center shines its light. Julius, a sweet nine year old boy, lost both of his parents on the same day last year and was thrown into the dark slums of Kariobangi outside of Nairobi.
He was sent to live with his uncle who quickly started to abuse him. His uncle refused to feed him and beat him with electrical wire many times a week. His teacher at the time noticed the change in his mood but Julius wouldn't open because he feared more beatings from his uncle.
One day while in class, his wounds started oozing with blood. His teacher took off the Julius' shirt and could not believe the marks on his body. The wounds were all over his back. Some wounds were still fresh with blood. The teacher called the police and took him into custody. They searched for his uncle but he ran away and hasn't been seen since.
With no home and in desperate need of loving care the police contacted our partner, Outreach Community Center. They run a Children's home and brought Julius to his new home. He has been there for a year and his joy has returned. He is loved and cared for, feed and given new clothes and medicine when he needs it. It's this hope for the oppressed with which Bright Hope is proud to be a part.
