Upendo Orphanage – Beyond Our Door Global

Upendo Children's Home

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Gift

Evelyne found me abandoned in a ditch right next to a tea plantation field.
The authorities said that I had been discarded and was unwanted.
Evelyne told them that she wants me!
Evelyne named me “Gift” because she says that I am a gift from God!
I have had some health problems, but Evelyne makes sure I am well cared for.
All the children at Upendo love me and like to help take care of me.
I think baby Stephanie and I will grow up to be very good friends.
Born: April 2019

Stephanie

In June of 2019 a man on a motorcycle dropped me off at the Upendo gate and left.
I was only a day or two old and I was sick.
Evelyne took me to the hospital and talked to the authorities.
The authorities said that no one wanted me.
Evelyne told them that she wanted me.
Evelyne paid my hospital bill and gave me a home and a family at Upendo!
All the children love me and help to take care of me.
I think baby Gift and I will grow up to be very good friends.
Born: May 27, 2019

Moses

Evelyne found me inside of a green plastic bag on a pile of garbage.
Evelyne believes strongly that I was found for a special reason that God has planned.
I was in the hospital for seven days.
Now I am very strong and seldom get sick.
I love to play soccer and dance.
All of the other Upendo children are my close friends.
Born: February 3, 2016.

Daisy

When I was six months old my mom fell into a fire.
Evelyne took me and my mom in and cared for my mom.
My mom died from the burns but before she did, she asked Evelyne to take care of me.
I like to help with the cooking and other small household jobs.
I like to pretend that I am the mom and take care of the other children.
Born: 2012

Jeff

I have a mom but no dad.
My mom is homeless in the Kawangware slum.
My mom drinks a lot and could not take care of me.
Many people in the Kawangware slum would abuse me and beat me.
With my mom’s permission, Evelyne brought me into the Upendo family.
Collins, Lucky, and Junior are three of my best friends.
I like to clean and take care of the animals at Upendo.
Born: 2011

Blessing

I was left at the front door of Upendo on the day I was born.
I love school.
I love to cook.
I love to draw.
I help take care of Mercy.
I like to pretend I am a mother.
I am always singing and dancing.
Evelyn, Tracy, and Mispar are three of my really good friends.
Born: 01/01/13

David

I am a special needs child.
I don’t speak or see very well.
As a little boy, my mentally ill father would leave me home alone for days in a row.
One day Evelyne came to check on me and my dad.
I had been home alone for two weeks with no food. I had to eat my own waste.
Evelyne had some men knock the door down so she could get to me.
Evelyne took me to the hospital and saved my life!
Now I am a part of the Upendo family. Evelyne and the other children take care of me.
Born: 2010

Robert

I live at Upendo with my sister Tabitha, and my two brothers, Collins and Kamau.
I am the oldest of my family and used to work to support our father.
Our father drank a lot of alcohol and would threaten to kill us.
When Evelyne heard that my sister was being sexually abused, she asked our father if she could take Tabitha to live at Upendo.
My father agreed to let my sister go with Evelyne if she would also take me and my two brothers as well.
One of the jobs I do at Upendo is take care of the chickens and collect the eggs.
Junior and Collins are two of my best friends.
Born: 2007

Tabitha

I live at Upendo with my three brothers; Robert, Collins, and Kamau.
Evelyne rescued us from great physical and sexual abuse.
One thing I do is help my friend Joyleen remember to take her HIV meds every day.
I love school and someday want to be President of Kenya.
I also love to dance and jump rope.
Joyleen and I are very good friends.
Born: 2010

Collins

I live at Upendo with my sister Tabitha and two brothers; Robert and Kamau.
I like playing games.
I help by taking care of the rabbits at Upendo.
Lincon and Steven are two of my best friends.
Born: 2011

Kamau

I live at Upendo with my sister Tabitha and two brothers; Robert and Collins.
I was only three months old when Evelyn rescued us from our father.
My mom died giving birth to me and my father only saw me as a problem.
I love to play soccer.
Lucky and I are very good friends.
Born: 2013

Mercy

I was abandoned on Oct 9, 2017 alongside a path in the Kawangware slum.
I was only a few hours old because I was still covered in blood.
Evelyne found me right before some wild dogs did!
Evelyne took me to the hospital. I was jaundice and on oxygen for 10 days.
Ester and I are very good friends.
Born: 10-9-17

Mispar

Before my mom died, she made sure the authorities knew that Evelyne would take care of me.
I don’t like it whenever I see Evelyne sad because she means so much to me.
I am HIV positive, but I am full of joy!
I love to dance and play all the time.
Blessing, Tracy, and Evelyne are three of my best friends.
Born: 2014

Lincon

I live at Upendo Center with my brother Lucky.
The Chief delivered me and Lucky to Upendo after we saw our Dad beat our mother to death and then hang himself.
I love to read books and learn Math.
I help serve the food at the Center.
I have many toy airplanes and want to be a Pilot.
People sometimes think Steven and I are twins.
Steven and Collins are two of my best friends.
Born: 2010

Lucky

I live at Upendo Center with my brother Lincon.
The Chief delivered me and my brother to Upendo after we saw our Dad beat our mother to death and then hang himself.
I like to sweep and clean the outside of Upendo.
I also like to work in the garden growing vegetables.
Junior and Jeff are two of my best friends.
Born: 2012

Evelyne

My mom gave birth to me when she was a young teenager.
Less than a year later, Evelyne found me and my mother alongside a path in the slum.
My mom was having a miscarriage when Evelyne found us.
Evelyne took my mom to the hospital and then took us both into Upendo.
My mom lives at Upendo and helps Evelyne care for the children.
Blessing and Mispar are two of my best friends.
I love to jump rope and draw.
Born: 2014

Ester

My mom died when I was only 1 year old.
Before she died, my mom told the Chief in our community that she wanted Evelyne to be my new mom and Upendo to be my family.
I like to keep things clean at Upendo.
Mercy and I are very good friends.
I help Mercy find her shoes every day.
Born: 2018

Wenslaus

My mom brought my sister (Shaleen) and I to Upendo.
She told Evelyne that she would stay and help if we could live at Upendor.
My mom helped Evelyne for a while but then disappeared.
I love school and get really good grades. Math is my favorite.
I love to sing and want to learn how to play the guitar.
I help make sure the younger kids are doing their homework.
Ignatious and I are very good friends.
Evelyne says I am very kind and she hopes I lead Upendo someday.
Born: 2006

Shaleen

My mom brought my brother (Wenslus) and I to Upendo.
She told Evelyne that she would stay and help if we could live at Upendor.
My mom helped Evelyne for a while but then disappeared.
I help take care of the younger kids at Upendo.
I hold the Upendo record with 401 jumps of the jump rope!
Rachel and I are very good friends.
Born: 2008

Junior

My mom was very sick and could not get out of bed.
I was wondering in the Kawangware Slum and got lost.
Once my mom was well enough, she came and found me.
Although she was still sick, she brought me to live at Upendo.
Evelyne welcomed me and my mom into the Upendo family.
Upendo has given me the chance to go to school and I love it!
Robert, Collins and Wenslaus are three of my best friends.
Born: 2006

Natasha

My mom is Evelyne’s oldest daughter.
My mom abandoned my sister Rachel and I, so we have been raised by our Grandmother.
Our brother, Diego, now lives with us at Upendo as well.
I am very good at taking care of the younger children.
Evelyne says I am someone she can always count on me to help and serve others.
In school I love science and would like to be a pilot someday.
Born: 2005

Rachel

My mom is Evelyne’s oldest daughter.
My mom abandoned my sister Natasha and I, so we have been raised by our grandmother.
Our brother, Diego, now lives with us at Upendo as well.
I love school and especially learning the Bible.
At Upendo I help by making the beds and taking care of the younger children.
I also make up the shopping list for Evelyne, so she knows what we need to buy.
Shaleen is one of my best friends.
Born: 2007

Ignatious

As a little boy I lived with my grandmother.
When I was two years old, my grandmother asked Evelyn to watch me for a few hours, but she never returned.
We tried to find her, but her phone no longer worked, and her house had been burned down.
I am very responsible and look after all of the Upendo children.
I am very good at Math and Science and hope to become an engineer or pilot.
Wenslaus is one of my best friends.
Born: 2004

Joyleen

When I was little my parents both died from HIV.
My aunt tried but she could not take care of me. I needed a lot of medical attention.
Evelyne took me in and immediately took me to the hospital.
I was in the hospital for 2 months with pneumonia, malaria, tuberculosis and typhoid.
I am also HIV positive.
I love to dance!
Tabitha is one of my best friends.
Born: 2010

Riziki

My mom has serious mental health issues and it is not safe for me to stay with her.
My mom lives close to Upendo so I can walk to see her, but it is really hard.
Sometimes my mom comes and sits outside the Upendo gate but will not come in.
Rachel and Natasha saw how difficult my life was and told Evelyne about me.
I love to sing and dance.
Rachel and Natasha are two of my best friends.
Born: 2008

Steven

I came to Upendo when I was 1½ years old.
Evelyne let my mom and I live with her.
After 3 weeks my mom left and never returned.
To help at Upendo, I carry the plates and cups after the meals.
I also help by playing with the younger children.
I love to study and go to school.
I am always smiling.
Lincon and I are very good friends.
Born: 2011

Tracy

My mom is Evelyne’s daughter. Evelyne is my Grandmother.
When my mom was a teenager, she was raped by a teacher at her school and I was born.
My mom helps my Grandma by working at Upendo.
Since my mom lives at Upendo, I can get my hair done by her.
I like skipping rope, singing, and dancing.
I like to help at Upendo by changing diapers and cleaning the house.
Blessing is one of my best friends. People think we act like twins.
Born: 04/12/13

Collins B.

Evelyne found me homeless crying on the side of the road.
I was very scared and didn’t want to talk to her at first.
Both of my parents died of HIV.
I had an older sister, but she disappeared, so I was all alone.
I wanted to go to school.
Evelyne took me in and I am now a part of the Upendo family.
Robert and Junior are two of my best friends.
Born: 2007

Kristine

My grandmother and I were desperately poor.
We came to live at Upendo.
After just a few days, my grandmother left and has not returned.
I was really sad, but Evelyne told me Upendo is my family.
When Evelyne told me that I get to go to school, I cried because I was so happy.
I really enjoy helping take care of baby Stephanie and baby Gift.
Joyleen is one of my best friends.
Born: 2012

Diego

My mom is Evelyne’s oldest daughter.
My mom has many struggles in life and has not been able to take care of me.
I have come to live with my Grandma and two sisters at Upendo.
One thing I love to do is help and serve. I like to work and be active.
I am good at school and enjoy spending time with older people.
All of the Upendo children are my friends.
Born: 2011

Martin

I was living with my grandmother, but she disappeared.
People in the area found me wondering and very scared.
The authorities asked Evelyne if I could be a part of Upendo.
I have many scars on my body and I am fearful of people.
I don’t talk about how I was mistreated.
I really like going to school and helping take care of the rabbits.
Robert is one of my friends.
Born: 2008

Elizabeth

When I was little my parents both died of HIV.
I went to live with my aunt, but she also died of HIV.
Then I had no family and nowhere to live.
Nobody wanted me because I am also HIV positive.
Evelyne said that she wanted me!
I am so glad to be a part of the Upendo family.
Joyleen is my mentor and helps me out a lot.
I enjoy helping take care of baby Stephanie.
Born: 2008

Junior Enoch

My mother and I lived close by Upendo.
When my dad died, people stole everything from my mom and I.
My mom went to look for work in Nairobi and never returned.
I was desperate so I started stealing food from the market.
When Evelyne heard about me, she asked the Chief if I could come live at Upendo.
I like to help in the kitchen at Upendo.
I am very happy now because I have food and can go to school.
Jeff and I are very good friends.
Born: 2009

Hope

My mom gave birth to me when she was 14 years old. She didn’t even know she was pregnant.
Because of extreme poverty, my mom was going to put me in the river. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
So she gave me to some other women who would put me in the river for her.
As this was about to happen, another woman passed by and stopped them. She told them that she knew a woman who would love me and take care of me.
This woman brought me to Upendo and Evelyne welcomed me into the family!
All the other children love me so much and are so glad I am here!
Born: May 1, 2020

WE CAN'T CHANGE THE WORLD

BUT WE CAN CHANGE THEIR WORLD!