Anthony: the Kenyan boy my family sponsors

Three years ago when I first went to Kenya, I asked be introduced to a needy fifth grader from the Bondeni School for my family to start sponsoring. I had taught fifth graders and was happy when they brought Anthony to meet me that last Saturday in the Mathare Valley. He was as quiet and solemn as could be that day, but I was told when he went back upstairs to his class, that he had the biggest grin all over his face!

Meeting Anthony in 2011

Anthony moved from the Bondeni School to the Joska School about an hours drive away from Nairobi. This is where many of the 7-12 grade students from the Mathare Vallley go to school to get to a better environment in order to learn. This double our monthly cost for Anthony, but it is the first and the  most important bill we pay each month ( a small sum to pay to take one kid from the slum and provide for him an education and a future. We hope that Anthony will pass the country-wide 8th grade test this fall and then be allowed to get into a high school where he can continue his education. Hopefully, Anthony will even make it to college some day.

When we arrived, the boys at Joska were in a service.

They sat us down near the front for about 10 minutes. I kept seeing boys from three years ago in Bondeni about ten rows back. They would catch my eye, smile, and give me a thumbs up. I was very disappointed in not being
able to speak with them.

I was hoping to spend some time with Anthony and talk with him and encourage him on his life journey, however our time at the Joska boy's school was very limited and I only got to spend about 5 minutes with him. I got him some school supplies, some fun things, some candy, and a proper shirt and hat.

Anthony was pulled from the meeting, so we could spend a little bit of time together.

I think he has to grow into the shirt!

We didn't have much time to speak, and he always answered my questions with a soft, "Yes." When I was told that I had to leave and to get back on the bus, he said, "Safe journeys!" I wonder what he thought about my quick visit? We do write letters back and forth.