Support 50 children join school in Mombasa

Three young brothers, bound not only by blood but by hardship, come from one of the poorest areas in their community. Their lives have been shaped by daily struggles; food insecurity, lack of clothing, and limited access to education. Despite having attended school, none of them can read or write in English or Swahili. One is preparing to transition to Junior Secondary (Grade 7), another is in Grade 5, and the youngest still cannot write his name though he should be in Grade 4. . At home, hunger dictates their routines. Unable to afford basic needs, the boys spend their days harvesting grass, making brooms, and selling them to buy food. When this isn't enough, they turn to the streets to beg, exposing themselves to dangers they hardly understand. All for a chance to survive and remain in school. Everything began to change when they joined the catch-up education program at Glad’s House. Learning became exciting for the first time. One of the boys shared, “before, I was thinking of dropping out of school because food is always a problem. Now, I want to learn how to speak English, become a pilot, and build a good home for my family.”

When asked why he wouldn't return to his previous school, he answered honestly, “The teachers always humiliate us for skipping school to sell brooms, and no one knows English in my class. I want to be a respected person in the future.”

Now, they enjoy being children again—learning, playing sports, going for morning runs, and sleeping peacefully without worrying about their next meal. The plan is to enroll them in formal schooling soon, while continuing to support the youngest through catch-up education. These three brothers, once burdened by survival, now carry hope—and dreams that are finally within reach.

Life on the streets can be harsh, affecting both young and old, especially for mothers who struggle to provide safety and stability for their children in such an environment. Diana, a mother of six, has been deeply affected by street life, separated from three of her children, and unable to bring her family together. Two of her sons are supported by Glad’s House. One child remains on the streets with her, and the other three are out of reach. For the two boys under Glad’s House’s care, the need for a family is profound. They yearn for a place beyond foster care, a family they can visit during holidays, and a sense of belonging that only comes from knowing where they come from. Their strong desire to connect with their extended family motivated Glad’s House street workers to trace their relatives, in hopes of reuniting the children with their roots as they desire. Together with duty bearers and the children’s input, the street workers found information to reconnect them with their larger family. This opportunity could give the boys a place to visit on holidays, and a stable home they can look to as they eventually transit out of Glad’s House.

Their resilience and determination to reunite with family show their strength and clarity of purpose, even in challenging circumstances. “I normally hear my father telling me about his home. Today, for the first time, I have spoken to our grandmother. At least if our father doesn’t want to take us, we can visit and see for ourselves,” said the eldest boy. “I really look forward to visiting them in the village.” Diana’s story and her sons’ dreams underscore the importance of support and community in helping street-affected families find hope, stability, and a sense of belonging.