By Allison Tarus | Published: January 12, 2015
Happy New Year, friends!
We are grateful for a new year. New beginnings for some. New goals. New strength, energy, and vision. For our kids here in Kenya, it is the start of a new school year. For many, receiving a quality education is not the norm, especially for orphans and vulnerable children. Thanks to generous hearts, Tumaini na Afya (Hope & Health), Living Room’s outreach program, has had the opportunity to come alongside 26 such children in our community and empower them with the gift of education. Meet one of them—Kennedy Kipruto.
Kennedy is the fourth born of six children in his family. Life’s circumstances have caused his journey to change direction several times. Kennedy does not remember his father as he passed away a long time ago leaving his mother as the head of the household. In April 2011, another tragedy occurred in his family, which left six children without a father and a mother; Kennedy’s mother died under tragic circumstances. It was during this time of great pain and loss that Living Room International came alongside their family to support them—physically, emotionally and spiritually—in their time of grieving.
After his mom’s death, Kennedy and his younger sister, Caroline, were under the care of their elder brother, Richard, and their elder sister, Gladys; until yet another tragedy occurred in October 2012—the pain in Richard’s life led him to commit suicide. Gladys took on the responsibility of caring for her younger sister, Caroline, as well as her own two kids, while an aunt took the responsibility of caring for another sister. Meanwhile, Kennedy was unsure of where to go and ended up at the home of a neighbor and spiritual parents, David and Allison Tarus.
Through the twists and turns, Kennedy has been able to find hope in Christ and remain dedicated to his education. We are proud that this month he is beginning his final year of high school—what an accomplishment. Considering the great personal challenges he has experienced in his young life, Kennedy is doing very well, both academically and in his personal life. He is grateful to God for giving him the opportunity of an education as well as a place that he can call home.
We are grateful for those who have committed to empowering a child through education. There are still eight of the twenty-six children who do not yet have sponsorship. We welcome you to join in offering an orphan and/or vulnerable child the precious gift of education. If you are interested, please email allison@livingroominternational.org for more details.
May Christ’s hope be yours in the New Year.
With gratitude,
Allison Tarus
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