It gets easier each time, since I know I will be returning. But I will still cry saying goodbye at Oasis...every time.
It doesn't help that it becomes more fun each time I'm there. I just love to run around on the field...trying my hardest to call each kid by name (which I still can't do since there are 50 new faces each time I visit! No complaints, though, I love that 50 more kids are eating two meals a day...)
Here are some pictures from Friday at Oasis. For more, you can visit my Facebook album.
Alfayo


Friday afternoon was Games Day at Kitale Forest Primary (where the older Oasis House Boys attend school). The challengers: The Oasis Centre kids.
The Centre Boys Volleyball team (winners)


A few days ago, as we were working on the profiles for the 60 new Oasis Centre kids, Manu called me in to see some of the boys he was interviewing. He said, "These five boys...they stay alone. They have a house and do small jobs around town to pay rent and buy food. They also sniff glue to make the night sweet."
So, I called Chris in to hear the story.
And we knew...we had to see this house...and bring some gifts...
Friday afternoon, after the football match, we loaded up in two cars and drove out to the middle of nowhere (or so it seemed) to see not one--but two--houses occupied by groups of boys under the age of 14. The boys had originally lived on the street until they decided enough was enough and a child from Oasis found them a house for rent in his neighborhood. They were staying as nine in one house until the landlord said there were too many and they were too loud. (9 teenage boys--unsupervised? Of course they were too loud!)
The first house holds five boys...the oldest is about 13. Each boy has a responsibility around the home (paying the rent, cooking, cleaning, washing up)...
They huddle together in one bed at night.
We brought a blanket for each of them (Thanks Saddleback PEACE Relief!)
Edwin showing us their bed
We brought a blanket for each of them (Thanks Saddleback PEACE Relief!)
Edwin showing us their bed


These boys had similar stories to the others: sick of living on the streets and longing for a safer place to sleep, they moved in together. The house was wallpapered with comics and newpaper articles about football teams...what you would expect from teenage boys. It's amazing to think that they are without adult supervision, but more amazing that they are without the care and love that should accompany that supervision...it's heartbreaking, really.

So much to think about...and probably few answers to be found.
1 comment:
Man, what a completely different world. I know you are on a plane right now...and that it's hard to
leave those you love and come back to your amazingly alternate reality.
I also know that you'll be working immediately on plans for your next trip.
In the mean time, it is incredible to see that there are so many following in your footsteps...people who have the same heart and passion for those in Kitale.
And I know you have been the inspiration for so many of them.
Tho we can't quite understand it, I guess God knows just what He is doing.
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