Gods plan! (Kwetu Home of Peace)

[But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this? Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?] ~ Romans 9:20-21

The same way a lecturer has authority over the students while in his/her class is the same way a porter has total say on what to mold, how to mold or even when to mold his clay. To achieve perfection (or something close to it..hehe), the potter will come up with a plan that to him, is the master-plan. To him, this plan will get him to complete projects, will guide him to approach his work the right way and ultimately earn him profits or make someone happy. We have a master planner too, in one way or another!

I love community outreach work! I'm of the opinion that each individual should seek to make a change in someone else's life, however small that change might be. The change of course has to be a positive one and in order for the society to grow, there needs to be unity;  people coming together to contribute to the achievement of the common good; good for all. Making a change in the society does not necessarily mean having a vast array of resources like money, et al. that you give/donate to people for them to like you, or having to be in a position of leadership to make a difference. Whoever you are, whichever position you are in, you can still make a change! You have you...and you is enough resource! To me, making a difference means appreciating the existence of people and helping each other live life happily! Community outreach gives me an opportunity to make this change and that's why I've entirely embraced it.

I'm not posting about outreach. Don't get it confused. That's just my other common trait that am so good at -digressin'! I'm writing about not questioning the plans of the master-planner! Outreach just comes in because it is somehow through it that I got motivated to put up this post.

On (7.4.16) Thursday afternoon I was in Kwetu Home of Peace - Madaraka, a rehabilitation center for street boys. The home caters for these boys, aged between 8 and 14 years for a temporary rehabilitation period of two years. After that, I think they are transferred to the main home which in Ruai and later on reunited with their families - under supervision ofkos!

So this particular day we had "Experience Sharing" day and all the boys were sharing their stories, basically telling us why they took to the streets. Many shared about escaping due to fear of constant beatings from their folks, siblings or relatives, others because they stole 50 bob and used it kuona zile movie za 5 bob, others cited peer pressure; their friends in the streets live a 'freer' life...best option was to join them and escape stress ya home. There are two boys who's stories got me. One started by saying that he escaped his home because of his dad. His dad was cruel to him, would deny him food, would not buy him school uniform and when summoned by the headteacher, he wouldn't defend his son. He'd mention that the kid was careless and does not know how to take care of himself. Many are times he would sleep outside and eat leftovers from takataka coz no food would be given to an irresponsible teenage boy! He just had to stay away for good...What's I'd tell him over and over --Forgive your dad. It'll free your soul. Don't hold the grudge, you'll feel the pain more!

The other interesting and funny story was from a boy whose dad, just like the other one, used to flog him mercilessly! There's this one time his dad/mum (not sure) left him 50 bob for use - anunue mafuta ya stove na apike supper ya familia I guess.  That was too small an amount to get those things done. He therefore opted to go spend the money the best way he knew how. With 20 bob, aliamua aone movie nne...with 20 bob akanunua chafua (mix ya chapo, mandazi, dondo na githeri) ju by the time alikuwa anamaliza movie maunenge (njaa) ilikuwa imepanda. By the time inafika jioni aliangalia mfuko akapata tu 10 bob!! Ati apo ndio akakumbuka mafuta taa infaa kununuliwa na supper ipikwe! 10 bob itafanya ivo kweli??! With courage but with certainty that he's gonna experience hell once he goes back home, he rushed home but stealthily tip-toed to the door. He peeped through the door and his expectations were met. His dad was sitting on a chair next to the table, on his hands a 'nyaunyo', his face screaming 'leo ni leo!' (the boy actually gave the story exactly how I'm conveying it...sema kucheka!!). What followed broke my heart....

Despite seeing danger right in front of him, he proceeded to open the door. He says that the dad pounced on him just like a lion pounces on its prey - one that's its been eyeing for a long long time! Several 'nyaunyos' on his back leaving scars that to-date remind him of the fateful day. When the 'nyaunyo' seemed not to drive the point home, he resorted to 'hot slaps'. That. Still. Wasn't. Enough! He dragged the now bleeding helpless boy to the edge of the  bed, took a chain (zile nyororo za kufungia doggy) akamfunga nayo mikono na miguu. He couldn't move! Lying there motionless, pain running through all parts of his body like UoN students rushing to get bribes from SONU aspirants - the stampede - can you see it?..eeh? yes, the commotion...unrest...now that was pain having a Kenyan Reggae concert in the boys body.

Since God has special favors for the opressed, the boy somehow found a way to unlock the chains (after a night 'on leash') when the dad wasn't around and escaped. Enough was enough! He's never looked back nor dreamt or thought of going back. Street life was of course not paradise. He went through so much at his age, but with a group of friends he got used to the life: ocassionally being harassed by police, sleeping hungry and cold, staying in light rugged dirty clothes with no one to look after them. Getting locked in police cells was also part of their routine but with the help of a friend of a friend....they finally found their way to Kwetu!

They boys went ahead to assure us that they would not trade Kwetu for anything! It is a place that has given them hope of better futures, far from the oppression, hurt and mysery that they once went through. They have wonderful caretakers who are ever present, ever ready to listen to them and help correct and direct them towards the right path. Street life to them, is a case that's over and done with!

Back to my core point: You have no right to question the deeds of the all knowing, ever present master-planner! The boys, having led woeful lives before now have a chance at a brighter future! Things that they had gone through will not determined what they will turn out to be in days/years to come. Accepting the will of God and not questioning it makes you have peace even in adversity. While sharing their stories they would burst into laughter and make fun of their past situations! I really loved this because that is exactly how we are all supposed to react to the problems we face! Laugh at the goddam problem and freekin' move on honey!! You ain't gon keep wailing all day!! Instead of letting them weigh you down and questioning God throughout...laugh at it and stay assured that HE KNOWS WHATS BEST FOR YOU. He's awake, silently watching, chini ya waba tu, silently executing his plan on you!!!!!! (kwa wale wanatoka Karen, Runda, Kitusuru, waba ni maji.....aha).

At the end of the day, they say stuff happen for a reason, right?