The Joy of Giving

Last Sunday, members of my investment club continued our five year old charity tradition of partnering with a children’s home situated on the outskirts of Nairobi when nine of our twenty members made the first charity-related visit of the year to Athi River to deliver 20 new pairs of school shoes. We identified this particular home because it was away from the limelight and easily forgotten. Of course even recipients of charity have celebrities of their own. In Nairobi the Nymbani Children’s home, Nairobi Women’s Hospital, are just two examples of the favourite destinations for people of goodwill. Our association with this home dates back to the days the city council was mopping street boys and sending them all over the country. During our first visit, they had over 70 street boys ranging in ages from four years to some in their twenties; of course many ended back in the streets. We keep coming back, because apart from the personal attachment we have developed, we also see progress. For instance, today they have a boy who is in university, while another three are in high school. The most recent 2006 KCPE candidate also passed very well (354 points) and like the other three in high school will be sponsored by a good soul who took pity and offered to clear fees through their high school. One of our members also pledged to take care of all the books required in form one. In all our numerous visits, we have usually brought along our spouses (the investment club is all-male), children and friends and with good results because the young ones usually get to appreciate how lucky they are to be growing in their circumstances. Adult first-time visitors usually depart speechless after a visit. It’s such a reality check that everyone leaves a bit different. In fact our spouses have organized their own mission-specific outfit outside our club. Of course we all feel like we are not doing enough, but I comfort myself that we are on the right path and at least we are all learning a very valuable lesson-the joy of giving. Back to our most recent visit. Despite the eventful two hour drive to the home situated at the foot of Lukenya hills, we were warmly received by the ever effervescent Home Administrator and about 15 of her charges. Even as our group was familiarizing themselves with the surroundings, some of the 22 boys resident here, were still streaming in after the mandatory home-stay in time for the new school year set to begin in half a day’s time. The home is plagued by lack of funds, since only a meager 40% is availed by the sponsors for recurrent budget. The balance is funded via well wishers like our investments club, local corporate citizens and individuals. This scenario has forced the home to abandon, for now, all plans for capital development beyond the existing structures and installations. Currently the power has been disconnected due to an outstanding bill of Kshs. 35,000/=, which in turn denies them access to water from the electric-dependant borehole. It breaks our hearts each time we pay them a visit, that we cannot do more for them. In the past we have donated books, sports gear, foodstuffs, mosquito nets, linked them with corporates that sorted out some of their issues, etc. In future we envisage making contributions that will empower the establishment to be more sustainable and more in tune with the home’s ultimate objective of rehabilitating the former street boys back in society as equal and accepted members of the human race. My investment club has a policy of giving at least 20% of our annual profits to charity and I am very proud of that decision. If the economy keeps growing and our investments do better, we will always have something to give this home