Log in to your Account

More than two million children in Kenya have been orphaned due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Many of these children are then displaced from their families, schools, and homes. A significant number end up living on the streets of Kenya’s largest cities. In response to this crisis, Mission Society missionary, Michael Agwanda, himself an HIV/AIDS orphan, founded Life for Children Ministry.

This ministry, now coordinated by Michael and his wife, Lolla, offers hope and new life to orphans of HIV/AIDS, and to other vulnerable children by providing food, housing, health care, education, and spiritual nourishment. However, the ultimate goal is to reintegrate orphans into loving homes with their extended families, and to facilitate the spiritual and economic transformation of communities.

Michael recently wrote about the repatriation of three young men who had been rescued from life on the streets. After some time ministering to the boys through weekly programs and Sunday fellowship, these young men were identified as ready to return to their villages and extended families in western Kenya.

Accompanied by Pastor Tonny, a rough and dusty drive brought them to their first stop, Samuel’s village. Samuel, born out of wedlock, was abandoned by his mother when he was very young, then raised by a step-grandmother and two uncles. Though his step-grandmother was happy to see Samuel was alive and well, it was learned that one of the uncles had been previously abusing Samuel. After talking at length with various relatives, it was decided that the chief would be informed of the situation and would confront the uncle. Pastor Tonny would also follow up to see that all was well with Samuel’s return to his home, village, and school.

The next stop was a remote village another 40 kilometers away. It had been four years since Joseph had seen his home. A neighbor helped locate Joseph’s grandmother who received him with joy and laughter, inviting the group into her humble home for tea. An orphan since the age of seven, Joseph had run away from abusive aunts who were no longer living with his grandmother. He was happy to return, expressing a hope to return to school if the opportunity arose. Before the remaining travelers departed, Joseph’s grandmother offered prayers and thanks to God for Joseph’s safe return.

Now it was Godfrey’s turn. His anxiety and fear built with every passing mile, through forests and villages, not knowing what might lie ahead. Upon arriving, Godfrey exited the car and, much to the surprise of all, onlookers turned and ran as if from a ghost. Apparently, rumors had circulated that Godfrey had been lynched with three other young men in a nearby town. After the initial shock, Godfrey was joyfully received by an aunt and several uncles, who related that he had always been a wonderful, bright, obedient boy, always at the top of his class. One of three brothers left to their father after his parents separated, Godfrey had suffered from lack of adequate food and the pain of his parents’ separation, leading him to run away. He was happy to be reunited with his family and looks forward to continuing his education.

These young men took a huge step of faith in returning home, but thanks to the Agwandas and Life for Children Ministry, each one was offered a new life, a new beginning. What was lost had been found anew.