The Monumental Moment

Earlier this week one of the students went missing. Her name is Marion. She is new to the school and still quite unfamiliar with the daily routine. On her way back to Wycliffe & Evelyne's home she became confused and must have walked in the wrong direction. Wycliffe sent out a search party to find Marion in hopes to help her before something dangerous happened. Fortunately, she returned to the school today. She had likely been sleeping in muddy fields and therefore was covered in dirt from head to toe. Everyone was glad she returned before something horrible happened. This situation is exactly why the need for a dormitory is so urgent. These children need a safe place to call home.

I (Quincie) am pleased to inform that last Monday officially marked the start of the dormitory project. Several local Kenyans spent hours digging the foundation for the building. The foundation will be complete by tomorrow, and ready for its first layer of sand, stones, and cement. This is a monumental moment for West Special School considering that they've waited nearly 2 years for the dormitory project to begin. The sooner the building is finished, the sooner these children have a place to call home. We couldn't have made it this far without God providing a school and an on-site house. Our hearts are full of thanksgiving.

James informs me that the children are happily learning and joyfully playing with one another. There has been great excitement among the students ever since the mzungus (white men) arrived. James, Seth, and Liz spend a majority of their day with the children either playing with a football or sitting in during the lessons. Even some of the newer students who have little exposure to other children have warmed up and are slowly learning how to interact with their peers. For instance, there is a new boy called Isaac at West. The majority of his childhood was spent neglected and unloved by his family. He was force-fed poo and vomit because his parents were embarrassed by him and apparently felt the need to punish him in this way. Thankfully, Isaac has made his way to West and is slowly learning how to be loved and how to show love. He is a very bright young boy, perhaps even the most clever student at West. His social skills are underdeveloped, however there is a hope and a future for young Isaac. He is slowly learning how to interact with the other students, how to trust, and how to function in a classroom setting. We're convinced that there is no better place for him to be.

May West Special School continue to attract children like Marion and Isaac...