It’s been a long time since I’ve talked about this family.
Mostly because there hasn’t been anything to say, until now.
Last September, I wrote about the boy who stole my heart: http://mayfamily.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/the-boy-who-stole-my-heart/. Since September, and the failed attempt to get acceptance for Halake into the special school in Kasarani, we had another failed attempt at a school not far from Thika. It has been discouraging for me, and I can’t even imagine what the family feels in all of this.
Anyhow, in the last week of April, out of the blue, the older sister who has been advocating so well for this young man showed up at my house with Halake, unannounced. That happens a bit here, but not that often, and not with this family.
It turns out that they had found a school that looked promising enough to possibly accept Halake. It was up in Northern Kenyan, in Isiolo, the family’s home area. They were confident that Halake would receive better treatment, and hopefully acceptance by his own people. I figured it was worth a try.
We figured out matatu/bus fare for the mom, sister and Halake to travel north (about a 6-8 hour drive) WITHOUT me, as I was very pregnant and not wanting to make that long hot trip and sent them on their way. That was on a Thursday.
And then we waited, and waited, and waited.
I was certain that again Halake had been rejected because of his toileting difficulties.
But then, about a week later, as I was driving into Nairobi for a Doctor’s appointment, the father called me and let me know that Halake had been accepted.
I wanted to cry with joy over the thought of this young man finally getting a chance to learn basic communication and life skills. No longer being relegated to sitting outside rain or shine watching the world go by. His sister actually did cry. Bless that girl’s heart. Only a senior in high school yet she has been caring for him all these years.
I thought I had it all figured out. I had my sponsor from last fall who could cover the school fees, check.
But then there were all of these other miscellaneous needs I hadn’t quite counted on. Mattresses, sheets, towels, school supplies, cleaning supplies, bathing supplies, other hygiene items.
It was a lot. And right when I might let myself get overwhelmed a wonderful Portland Care Group friend put $100 in our bank account….which the holy spirit had been nudging her for months to do she said…..just at the right time. And she told me to use it for someone that needed help. Can I say how amazed and thankful I was that this friend listened to the holy spirit as she did? What a blessing for her, me and Halake. These items were so far outside of what this family would have been able to round up for Halake and yet in just perfect timing, someone from Portland, Oregon made it happen, without even knowing why or how!
Thank you KK!
So, I went and delivered all of the items hoping to snap a picture of Halake, but it seems like the school kept him up there after the interview/acceptance so he wouldn’t have to make the 8 hour trip 2 more times.
Here however are his family members as they received his school supplies:
In order from left: Halake's sister, father, stepmother
What an exciting step forward for Halake and his family. I can’t wait to hear of the steps he has made in basic skills, communication etc. when he comes home for break in August….we’ll have to get his sister set up with a yahoo account so she can go to a cyber cafe and email!