Support 30 young people off the streets of Mombasa

Well it's been another busy three months at Glad's House and we are so excited to share with you another story of one of our amazing young men who you have supported to transform his life. Meet Tom.

Tom was born in 1998. His Parents separated when he was still very young. Tom was living with his Mother and Step Father but in 2006, when Tom was 8 years old, the relationship broke down and Tom ran away to the streets. However his Father heard about his son living on the streets and at that time, Tom moved in with his Dad.

Over the next 9 years Tom was returned to different family homes SIX times by Organisations – his Mothers, his Fathers and his Grandmothers. Each time he was placed home, the adults in his life let him down and he returned to the streets of Mombasa. Each time more damage was caused to his self esteem and mental well being.

At 17, Tom was surviving by parking cars in Mombasa city centre. He got to know Glad’s House Outreach Team who conduct street work, street soccer and sessions at our Drop In Centre. Tom had a dream of finishing his education – he had been to so many schools over his 9 years of insecurity but he was focused on joining the Army and to do that, he knew he had to finish Secondary School.

We saw the drive Tom had to change his life and so he moved into our Transitional Home - "Half London' that you pay for. He worked hard to work through the pain of six failed ‘reunifications’ and to find a happy medium where he could rebuild a relationship with his Family from a far. Our Team worked incredibly hard to secure Tom a birth certificate so that in December 2015 he could sit for his Primary School Certificate – he scored 270, a VERY respectable mark; we were all incredibly proud of him.

Because of your support Tom is now studying at Secondary School and is a step closer to achieving his dream of joining the Army. Last month Tom also competed in the National Junior Boxing Championships for the Coast Region!

Without your support Tom would still be on the streets, without hope for a positive future – now he has a Primary School Certificate and is on his way to securing a Secondary School education. Tom’s future is bright because of your support!

So from me, the Team and of course Tom, thank you!

ps A favour - This programme is ongoing and Tom's friends who are still on the streets need our support to change their lives and have a brighter future too. Please share Tom's story with your friends and encourage them to support us! THANK YOU!