Through Awaken, Traders Point has committed to restoring hope to the world. That’s why Traders Point partners with Missions of Hope International (MOHI) in Kenya. The Kibarani community in Kilifi County, Kenya, is home to around 25,000 people. Kibarani is a relatively poor community; most adults have not had a formal education, and jobs can be difficult to come by. Because of the generosity of Traders Point, MOHI was able to build the Kibarani Center. Since the opening of the Kibarani Center, MOHI has served more than 500 students from pre-k through 6th grade, and the church has led a spiritual renewal in the community. Here is a story about one of the many students at Kibarani.
Hank* is a 5th-grade student at the Missions of Hope International Kibarani Center. He comes from a blended family with seven siblings, five of whom are from a different mother. The first wife of Hank’s father was the mother of those five siblings, but she passed away. Hank’s father then married another woman, who is the mother of the other two children. The family resides in a mud and iron sheet house and relies on casual jobs to sustain their livelihood.
Before Missions of Hope International came to the Kibarani community, Hank struggled with chronic absenteeism from school. This was primarily due to his parents’ leniency. On his first day of school, he returned home in tears, fearing the idea of school and the possibility of being held accountable for poor behavior. This led his parents to transfer him to three different schools, but Hank’s resistance to attending school persisted. During this period, Hank’s father earned a living by tapping palm wine, while his mother managed household responsibilities.
Fortunately, Hank was given the opportunity to enroll in school at the Kibarani Center, where he not only receives an education, but also has his physical and spiritual needs met. The Kibarani Center has dedicated social workers that serve their students' families, allowing God to work in and through them to bring hope and change to these families' lives. During a visit by a social worker, Hank initially tried to avoid them by running into the bushes. However, the social worker managed to have a conversation with him later. Hank confessed that his initial reluctance to attend school was rooted in a fear of discipline. Through discussions with the social worker, Hank came to understand the importance of education and the necessity of regular school attendance. They also explained to Hank the importance of being disciplined and responsible. The social worker also engaged with his parents to ensure their commitment to Hank’s consistent attendance.
Thanks to a newfound understanding and a transformative encounter with the word of God through his social worker, Hank has undergone significant positive changes. He now attends school daily, recognizing the value of education and aspiring to achieve his dreams.
*Name changed for privacy