Children

On Sunday morning, 2nd of June 2013, we received a phone call from the local police. A baby was abandoned near Ramisi River.

Gudrun and Denise went to meet the police immediately in the hospital in Msambweni.

A woman went notice of a crying baby by the wayside and alerted the authorities. In the hospital first examinations were made. The navel was inflamed and had to be treated. Thereafter Gudrun and Denise took the little one to Nice View where all children welcomed 'their' new brother.

On 09 October an approximately 2 1/2 years old girl was brought by the Youth Welfare Office and will stay at least for the time being with us. Due to burns she has bad scars, which were probably never treated right.  Because of a bulge on the chin, she cannot even close the mouth properly.

When she was approximately 5 months old, a kerosene lamp fell over and her mattress caught fire.  At that moment she was alone, her mother was not at home, and rescued by neighbours.

Abida is the last born in a family of three. Her brothers and sisters live in Mwaembe with their mother. She works as a household help and this has made it difficult to fund the education of her daughter due to financial constraints. Abida was enrolled to our school in baby class in 2014.

On 19 March 2012 the Youth Welfare Office got in touch by phone. An approximately 10 months old child was in need of help. Subsequently we asked the Youth Welfare Office to come by with the child to discuss further actions, and the head of the Youth Welfare office visited us together with a woman and the little boy. Timo was healthwise not in a good condition and to weak for his age.

On 1st of July we received in the evening the message that a bus with children arrived in Nice View. A children’s home had to close and wanted Nice View to admit the children.

Luckily it was just a mini bus and only 11 children had to be accommodated. The children were spread over 3 children’s homes and Nice View has to take care of 3 additional children now. Three boys, aged 3 to 4 years, which arrived neglected, underfed and hungry.

On 1st of July we received in the evening the message that a bus with children arrived in Nice View. A children’s home had to close and wanted Nice View to admit the children.

Luckily it was just a mini bus and only 11 children had to be accommodated. The children were spread over 3 children’s homes and Nice View has to take care of 3 additional children now. Three boys, aged 3 to 4 years, which arrived neglected, underfed and hungry.

On 09 January, I, Gudrun Dürr, am called to the phone by our accountant Jimmy. It is urgent he says. On the line our social worker Cosmas. The Youth Welfare Office got in touch. A baby, approximately 5 days old, needs to be picked up at the police station in Diani. Immediately I pack some baby clothes, and we drive to Diani.

Once we arrive, no sign of a baby. The ones that have found it have gone for lunch, the policemen say. And indeed, after a short period of waiting, they show up. When we see the baby, a little girl, we realize this is really a newborn.

Waridi is the last born in a family of five children. Since the death of her father in 2010, her mother has been fending for them although without any formal job. Waridi’s elder sister is in Secondary school and due financial constraint, she was forced to repeat Form one. Waridi’s brother (Dunga) is also under education sponsorship in Nice View Gratitude Academy. With five children, Waridi’s mother can’t fully provide the necessary basic needs.

Mr Gitau from the Youth Welfare Office was very hesitant to call us, since he knew at the time that we had no space. However, since he knows we take care of babies very well, he had decided to give it a try.

We received once again a phone call on 21 January 2009. A baby, a small girl, was born in the hospital on 11 January 2009. The mother, who provided a wrong name, left the hospital shortly after the birth. After waiting for the return of the mother for one week, the hospital informed the Youth Welfare Office.

Zulekha and Swabrina are the 8th and 9th born respectively in a family of nine children. Since the death of their father, their mother was single-handedly fending for them. It is the hope of everybody that their lives will never remain the same upon getting good education.

Amina is the last born in a family of seven. The sisters and brothers live in Kisimachande with their mother. Her father died in June 2015. Amina’s mother could not fund the education of her child and through this struggles secured a sponsor. Through this Amina was enrolled in our school in this year 2015 in Reception class.

Omari, Mwanamisi and Yusuf are the three last born in a family of eleven children. Their father is a peasant fisherman while the mother is just a housewife. Sometimes with little or no catch, it becomes difficult to provide the family with the basic needs. With such a big family, it’s only through good education that the children will change their lives to better in future.

Idd and Mwalola are 2nd last and last born children respectively. Both their parents are alive. Their Father is a Boda boda (motorbike driver) while the mother is a housewife. With his little income, their father can’t sustain the family’s basic needs and provide children with education. They he looked for an educational sponsor for the two children in Nice View Gratitude Academy.

Dunga is the fourth born in a family of five children. Since the death of his father in 2010, his mother has been fending for them although without any formal job. Dunga’s elder sister is in Secondary school and due financial constraint, she was forced to repeat Form one. His younger sister (Waridi) has started schooling in Nice View Gratitude Academy and is also sponsored. With five children, Dunga’s mother can’t fully provide the necessary basic needs.

In July 2007, a local acquaintance told me about a mentally unstable woman in an advanced state of pregnancy spending everyday in a shopping centre near the tourist centre Diani Beach. My acquaintance asked me for advice, how this woman could be helped. We decided to observe her and to talk her into giving birth to her baby in a hospital. This wasn't easy but most of the shop owners in the shopping centre were prepared to help the young woman. Little Caroline was born on July 10, 2007 and was well cared for by all the helpers.

Yusuf, Omari and Mwanamisi are the three last born in a family of eleven children. Their father is a peasant fisherman while the mother is just a housewife. Sometimes with little or no catch, it becomes difficult to provide the family with the basic needs. With such a big family, it’s only through good education that the children will change their lives to better in future.

On Friday, 05 December 2008, I (Gudrun Dürr) accompanied the sick Mwanasha to our general practitioner Dr. Mashanga. In the clinic I received a phone call from the Youth Welfare Office with the request if we could accommodate additional children. They approached us, since recently two difficult cases were assigned to another home in Ukunda.

On 21 November 2009, we were called to come to the hospital in Msambweni. What we found at the hospital was a malnourished 14-month old girl named Naomi.

Ramla is a second born in a family of three. They all live with their great grandmother since the death of their mother in 2009. The father’s whereabouts can’t be traced because they were born out of wedlock. ,Ramla’s grandmother who is insane also lives with them in the same small hut. Ramla’s uncles sometimes help in providing food for the family. The family is very vulnerable and needy hence educational support will help improve Ramla’s and Mwanamvua's future life.

Our little Daniel, only two 2 weeks old, came down with Malaria and was fighting for his life for almost 3 days and nights. We had been taking care of him around the clock and had given him food in short sips. Since he was very weak already - probably a product of being born too early - his little body could hardly cope with the drugs. He lost weight, since he was refusing food.  But from the 4th day on he was accepting food again and his condition improved. Now he is completely healthy and requests his vial every two hours.

Halima is the last born in a family of ten. Both her parents are alive although poor. However, Halima’s parents work so hard to educate their children of which the first born son has completed teacher training course. At the time we visited Halima at their home, she wasn’t attending school due to lack of school fees. Her parents’ hard work and passion in education motivated me to recommend Halima for education sponsorship. We hope that through quality education, she’ll fulfil her aspirations.

Begin of April 2006, Samuel, his little sister Sherine and his mother were found in the bush, almost starved, and brought to the hospital. After taking care of the children in the hospital for two weeks, Samuel and Sherine came to us.

On Wednesday, 29 June 2005, we received a call from the Youth Welfare Office with the information that a baby was abandoned in Ukunda. It was brought to the hospital by the police on Sunday, and Gudrun went to look for the baby at the hospital immediately. She was deeply shocked. The baby was lying alone in a (cold) incubator with the same napkins it had been wearing since Sunday. Because the hospital was understaffed, very few nurses were caring for it.

She is the elder girl in a family of three. She started schooling at Nice View Gratitude Academy from Kindergarten (Baby class). Her parents were responsible for fees payment since they had a small retail shop. However, in December 2012, Emmer and her sister Hella were involved in a road accident which left Hella serious injured. Hella’s medication cost the family their resources hence they weren’t able to pay Emmer’s school fees. Emmer has the interest to learn, she does very well in academics and couldn’t absent even a single day from school.

Idd has a six year old half-brother and lives with another 5 children with his grandmother and her daughters. Thanks to a sponsorship he can now attend the Nice View School.

A little girl, reduced to a skeleton and approximately 3 weeks old, was found in a bush, nearby Diani-Beach (South Coast). In fact her chances to survive were little, since she weighed two kilograms only and had problems in breathing. But she was lucky, a Youth Welfare Officer brought her to us in Nice View and we immediately took her to the hospital for examination. She received drugs and nutritious food. Now, after 1 week of intensive care, we can see her improving significantly. We are confidence and hope she will survive. Since she came nameless to us, we call her now Jolene.

In the afternoon of September 27, 2008 we received an urgent call from the hospital in Msambweni. I (Gudrun Dürr) was asked to have a look at a four-year-old boy in the children's medical unit as soon as possible. Such a request is always linked to the question whether the respective child would find a place to live at Nice View. At once, Paulah, a staff member in the kindergarten, and I went to the hospital and after completing several formalities we were led to Nicolas' bed.

Swabrina and Zulekha are the 8th and 9th born respectively in a family of nine children. Since the death of their father, their mother was single-handedly fending for them. It is the hope of everybody that their lives will never remain the same upon getting good education.

Semeni is the first born in a family of two children who were both born out of wedlock. Their father’s whereabouts can’t be traced. Semeni’s mother died in the year 2008 due to unknown complications leaving the children in their grandparent’s care. Together with other five grandchildren- Semeni’s cousins; their grandparents find it difficult to fend for them. When we visited the family, we found almost all children infested with jiggers a situation that compromised with their health.

Tima is a last born in a family of nine (9) children. Her father died when she was still very young. Her elder sibling is currently in Secondary school 4th form. Being a widow, it is difficult to fend for the family. However, the mother washes for people clothes so that she provides for the family’s basic needs as well as paying the secondary school fees.

As told by Francis: Four brothers had to accept constant changes of location, due to the fathers work. Francis, the oldest, had suffered most, since he had to always change school. In June 2006, he left school in the 5th class. Martin, who is now 7 years old, never went to school.

On 29 June 2011, we received via email the information that in the slum ‚Bangladesh’, district Mikindani, 6 sibblings are in need. Immediately we drove to Mombasa to inform us on the spot. Firstly we spoke with the mayor, the 2nd District Officer (D.O.) as well as with the Volunteer Children Officer (V.C.O.). Thereafter we drove to the children’s place of residence. They were left behind at their aunt’s and uncle’s place approximately 4 months ago, and what we saw was quite shocking.

Our Betty (click here to read the full story ) attends our school thanks to a sponsorship since 2015.

A young mother abandoned her approximately 3 months old baby in the bush, condemned to death. But the little one was lucky. A women passing by discovered her and brought her to the Youth Welfare Office. The Youth Welfare Office asked us to accommodate her and we agreed. Some days later, on 28 October 2003, the court signed the guardianship over to us. Since the name of the little one was unknown, we called her “Sarah”. All of our children and employees admitted her warmly in the “Nice View” family. Another last minute rescue...

A young woman handed over her baby to a secretary in an office in Kwale, with the request to take care of him for a few minutes, since she wanted to go to the bathroom. She did not come back, after waiting for a long time and looking for the mother, and the secretary brought the small boy, approximately 7 months old to the Youth Welfare Office. From there, he was brought to a nearby children's home that wasn’t able to take care of a baby. So, the baby was somehow kept alive, but became very sick. 

Salama is the 4th born in a family of seven. Her brothers and sisters stay with the relatives in Kaloleni. Salamas both parents died around 4years back. She was then picked by the uncle who stays in Diani. Due to the difficulties the uncle was going through to finance Salama’s education, he found a sponsor who was ready to fund Salama’s education. Salama was then enrolled to our school in class 3 in 2013.

She’s the fourth born in a family of six children. Popo’s father is a casual labourer and a sole bread winner. All the three older children are in Secondary schools, a burden the parent couldn’t afford to carry it alone. Due to the huge school fees payment and his fully commitment in educating children at Nice View Gratitude Academy, it was important to assist him. However, Popo’s father continues to pay for the other child (Kulthum Said) in our school.

As told by Francis: Four brothers had to accept constant changes of location, due to the fathers work. Francis, the oldest, had suffered most, since he had to always change school. In June 2006, he left school in the 5th class. Martin, who is now 7 years old, never went to school. Ndolo is already 5 years old and has never attended kindergarten.

Leah came to us in August 2001. At that time she was just 3 months old. Her mother was 13 years old and still a child herself. Her grandparents are very poor and do not even have accommodation. Leah almost died of hunger. But she was lucky: the youth welfare office was informed. Leah’s mother came to a boarding school for girls and she came to Nice View. Meanwhile Leah is not undernourished anymore and is the sweetie-pie of Nice View.

On 12 March 2003, the youth welfare office brought Alina (about 7 months old) to the "Nice View Children's Village". She was abandoned by her mother but luckily found by people passing by who brought her to the youth welfare office. She was immediately examined by a physician, also an AIDS test was performed, which was unfortunately positive. We were deeply touched, she was the first HIV positive child in "Nice View Children's Village'.

Lavenda was made an orphan at age 2. After the death of her parents (the father died in 1999 - the mother one year later), the brother of her mother accommodated her. There she was tolerated only and not loved. The aunt and two older cousins hassled and abused her for years. She was brutally beaten by her aunt - a big scar in her face testifies to the brutality at home aggressions (even with a knife). After she came to school more often with a swollen face, bruises and wounds, the teachers realized the abuse and informed the Youth Welfare Office in Mombasa.

DREAM: ECONOMIST
FATHER: COSMAS MWOWASI
MOTHER: LUCY NJERI
SIBLINGS: HARON MWANGI
RESIDENTIAL PLACE: BANGLADESH

Daniel is the first born in a family of two children. His brother Haron Mwangi is in class five in Jerusalem Star Academy in Bangladesh-Mombasa.

Fatuma is the 3rd lastborn in a family of 8 children. The whole family lives in a small hut Makuti thatched. Their parents divorced in 2009 and currently, all these children live with their mother. Out of 8 children two have completed Secondary due to their mother’s effort despite her lack of education and job. The family most a times goes without food- Fatuma in this case depends on the food she gets in school. In general, the family is very poor hence needs great assistance.

Anna lived from November 2001 until Januar 2017 in the Nice View Children's Village.

On Friday, 13 February 2009, two siblings, who are situated in an extreme emergency according to the Youth Welfare Office, were adopted. The girl, Trix is 9 years old, her brother Boni 11.

To date we do not know the exact story of the siblings, there are a number of contradicting stories, and Gudrun and our social worker Cosmas are currently investigating the case. The traces even lead to Western Kenya.

DREAM: LAWYER
FATHER: ATHUMAN NURR
MOTHER: NELLY TANGAI
SIBLINGS: 1
RESIDENTIAL PLACE: KILIFI

Michael is a last born in a family of two children. His both parents died when he was still young. Since the death of his parents, Michael has been living with his aunt who too is a widow. Michael’s brother is being helped by the relatives to get his education in college. However, his future studies are indefinite without financial support.

As told by Francis: Four brothers had to accept constant changes of location, due to the fathers work. Francis, the oldest, had suffered most, since he had to always change school. In June 2006, he left school in the 5th class. Martin, who is now 7 years old, never went to school. Ndolo is already 5 years old and has never attended kindergarten.

On 29 June 2011, we received via email the information that in the slum ‚Bangladesh’, district Mikindani, 6 sibblings are in need. Immediately we drove to Mombasa to inform us on the spot. Firstly we spoke with the mayor, the 2nd District Officer (D.O.) as well as with the Volunteer Children Officer (V.C.O.). Thereafter we drove to the children’s place of residence. They were left behind at their aunt’s and uncle’s place approximately 4 months ago, and what we saw was quite shocking.

FATHER: JOSEPH ONYANGO
MOTHER: SARAH AWOURI
SIBLINGS: 2
RESIDENTIAL PLACE: BANGLADESH

Victor is the last born in a family of three. Both his brother and sister live in Kisumu town on their own in an informal street life. Victors parents died 9yrs 7yrs ago possibly of HIV/AIDS. Since then, Victor was rescued by his maternal aunt who lives in Bangladesh. The aunt struggles to fend for a family of 5 children including Victor hence their schooling has been inconsistent and only one child managed to complete secondary school education due to lack of finances.

Kahindi now looks very happy. This was not always the case. In the streets of Kwale, he possibly would face a very different life with his mentally handicapped mother. But he almost has forgotten his bad experiences with people who were not really interested in him. In May 2000, he came to Nice View and gets everything he needs: a loving care, healthy food, education, hope, enjoyment and a perspective for his future.

DREAM: Journalism

FATHER: JAMES OPONDO (DECEASED)
MOTHER: MARGARET AKINYI ORANJA

Wilfrida is a fourth born in a family of seven children. Her father died when she was still seven years old in standard one.    

Wilfrida was learning at St. Peters Academy where the school fee per term was ksh. 1,200. This translates to ksh. 3,600 per year. With as low as the school fees was, her mother wasn’t capable of paying hence her persistent stay out of school.

DREAM: Journalism
FATHER: ANTHONY KIKUU
MOTHE: BERNADETTE MULITA (DIED)

Simon is the seventh born in a family of nine children.

Simon and his brother Patrick live with their father in coast- Kikoneni while the rest live in upcountry- Kitui.

Salim was amongst the first 8 children we accommodated in 2000.

He was classified by the Youth Welfare Office as an orphan. However, since he kept constantly asking for his mother we started with investigations. After finding his mother, Salim was transferred back to his family.
 

On 13 March 2000, Haji came together with his two older siblings Suleiman and Mwanasha to Nice View. In the beginning he had horrible nightmares. Now he sleeps through the night. He was underfed and his body was very weak for his age. At Nice View he gets healthy and nutritious food. Because of that, his health has improved dramatically. He is a very kind boy and always plays practical jokes. His special characteristic is absolute honesty you can rely on.

Fatuma and Mwanahalima lived with their very poor grandmother after the death of their mother (they never knew the father). Since she could not take care of two children, the children got separated and Fatuma came to an aunt. Both had no possibility to go to school. Fatuma is a quiet and a kind child. She has made many friends at Nice View with whom she plays, sings, dances and laughs. Since January 2002, she goes to a private school and has improved her grades.

As told by Francis: Four brothers had to accept constant changes of location, due to the fathers work. Francis, the oldest, had suffered most, since he had to always change school. In June 2006, he left school in the 5th class. Martin, who is now 7 years old, never went to school. Ndolo is already 5 years old and has never attended kindergarten.

Mwanahalima and Fatuma lived with their very poor grandmother after the death of their mother (they never knew the father). Since she could not take care of two children, the children got separated and Fatuma came to an aunt. Both had no possibility to go to school. Mwanahalima goes now since 2001 to a private school. She has some difficulties to learn but we give her extra lessons to improve her grades. She likes to assist in baking cakes and takes lovingly care of the little ones.

Mohamed is sponsored by an Austrian organization whose objective it is to improve the living standards of Kinondo people. They have several projects in Kinondo besides educating children. They believe that good education will change the lives of Kinondo people. They therefore preferred Nice View Gratitude Academy as a school that offers the kind of education they need for their foster children. In this regard, they sponsor five children in our school.

Mohamed is sponsored by an Austrian organization whose objective it is to improve the living standards of Kinondo people. They have several projects in Kinondo besides educating children. They believe that good education will change the lives of Kinondo people. They therefore preferred Nice View Gratitude Academy as a school that offers the kind of education they need for their foster children. In this regard, they sponsor five children in our school.

Mwanajuma is sponsored by an Austrian organization whose objective it is to improve the living standards of Kinondo people. They have several projects in Kinondo besides educating children. They believe that good education will change the lives of Kinondo people. They therefore preferred Nice View Gratitude Academy as a school that offers the kind of education they need for their foster children. In this regard, they sponsor five children in our school.

Omari is sponsored by an Austrian organization whose objective it is to improve the living standards of Kinondo people. They have several projects in Kinondo besides educating children. They believe that good education will change the lives of Kinondo people. They therefore preferred Nice View Gratitude Academy as a school that offers the kind of education they need for their foster children. In this regard, they sponsor five children in our school.

Miriam is sponsored by an Austrian organization whose objective it is to improve the living standards of Kinondo people. They have several projects in Kinondo besides educating children. They believe that good education will change the lives of Kinondo people. They therefore preferred Nice View Gratitude Academy as a school that offers the kind of education they need for their foster children. In this regard, they sponsor five children in our school.

Hamisi is sponsored by an Austrian organization whose objective it is to improve the living standards of Kinondo people. They have several projects in Kinondo besides educating children. They believe that good education will change the lives of Kinondo people. They therefore preferred Nice View Gratitude Academy as a school that offers the kind of education they need for their foster children. In this regard, they sponsor five children in our school.

Born in a family of four, both parents are jobless. Amina, her siblings and their mother all stay at their grandmother’s home. The mother had two children in Nice View. During that time, she struggled to pay school fees for Amina and her sister but she couldn’t manage it. She therefore pleaded for her children’s education assistance, Amina was however considered for the sponsorship while the elder girl was transferred to a Government (public) school.