Gala Christmas Party For Street Children

originally printed in CoastWeek newspaper of Mombasa, Kenya

THERE WAS no lack of entertainment at the Christmas luncheon party hosted by Restaurant Carnival (by Nyali Bridge) for the guests, who were street children, had shows of their own to perform !

Established two years ago it was the first time for the at The Grandsons of Abraham Street Boy Rescue Centre to be invited anywhere for lunch. The twenty-four at the party were extremely well behaved and very smartly attired in sailor suits initially a gift to Nyumba ya Wazee which is run by the Little Sisters of the Poor, writes NETA PEAL.

As they were not suitable, or would fit, the golden-agers they were offered to the centre which was delighted by this unexpected and most welcome present. It is a tented camp at Tudor, mostly financed by the American catholic foreign mission society called 'Maryknoll' but which is trying to attract more local support. Another such centre is in Nairobi this going under the name of Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers.

Explaining their modus operandi Brother Loren Beaudry, Director of the Mombasa Centre said "we go where the street children can be found at night and invite them to the centre for a meal. Afterwards they can sleep and stay on if they wish. Children are not forced to stay-they can come and go as they please. However, we do have regulations forbidding the use of bhangi or glue while they are here". He went on "they have to do their own cooking, washing-up and participate in the running of the Centre and during this time we try to find out why they left home and if they would go back.

"The main objective" declared Brother Beaudry, "is to try and get them back to their families or relatives. Otherwise, if the wish, they can join the Good News Programme". Continuing, he explained "most of them have a biological mother or father and that among the major reasons for their leaving home is poverty, or where the mother or father are not the real ones and do not want them, or are into alcohol and drugs".

There were also twelve other guests at the Christmas party- all from the streets of Mombasa-who now reside at the Good News Children's Home at Shikadabu on the south coast which relies on charity to keep going. It is run by a team of Christians of different denominations working together. The children are between 8-13 years of age and come from all over Kenya, most having been abandoned.

The home tries to find their parents but in the meantime they live in a rented Swahili house. Six attended the government primary school in the area. Said the pastor in charge of the home, the Rev. Francis Owiti of the Fellowship Baptist Church, Shikadabu and "while they might fight when they first arrive this diminishes as we try and make them feel they are part of a family and they are cared for".

He revealed that " there are thirty teachers working together with the home". Both groups entertained as well as six youngsters whose parents are with the Family Missionary Service which assists such homes/ centres caring for street children. Among them was "nati" who was seven that day. It was the boys from the Good News Home who led everyone in singing a "Happy Birthday Nati".

Her father, Juan Carol (guitarist at the party !) belongs to this Family Missionary Service. With great verve, and expertise, these youngsters presented songs in laudation of "Jesus Christ-the new born king" ending their special performance for the street children with the words "we love you-bye".

They received thunderous applause from a very appreciative audience. The grandsons of Abraham Street Boys Recue Centre also entertained. It included a play about the birth of Christ written by Paul Waweru, catechist. Restaurant Carnival not only provided lunch but also a top magician ABU (Jnr) who thrilled them all with his tricks, while his father, Abu Issak (who asserts he is the original magician at Mombasa) expertly painted many of their faces. There was also Father Christmas with a stack full of toys for everyone.

Loren's Biography             Loren's Reflections

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Maryknollers in Mombasa, Kenya