Case Study: Japheth
Our first meeting with Japheth was in a field when he was a traumatised teenager following the post election violence of 2007. We met five boys in that field because it was still not safe for us to go the IDP camp where they were living.
Through his tears Japheth told us his story, similar to many who had either lost or been separated from their families, not knowing at that time what had happened to them or if they would ever see them again. Their stories all included tales of unspeakable cruelty and violence.
Even then we could tell Japheth was special by the calm, assured way he told his story yet without a hint of self pity despite the pain we could see in his eyes. When we came back to the UK and told his story, one young lady immediately felt moved to sponsor him. Over the past four years we have had the joy of seeing Japheth develop as he was elected head boy at his school and now as a teacher at Seed School while he waits to go to University to study Biology.
His friendship with his sponsor has grown also and he is now like an extended member of the family. His own family circumstances are also very happy. He has been reunited with his aunt who has brought him up since his parents died. She is a lovely lady who makes all the Abigail Ministries team very welcome in her tiny home when we visit Kenya. Japheth is always there to act as a very kind, generous and capable host as well. The traumatised teen boy we met in a field four years ago has grown into a responsible young man who his sponsor is very proud of.
