Bondeni

Term 2, 2020

Greetings from Bondeni. It is yet another awesome school term coming to a close. It has been a school term full of a lot of learning coming after the long school break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Our learners have fully embraced the new normal of regular handwashing, wearing of face masks and observing social distance. We bless the Lord for watching over us as we work together to transform lives through the hope of Christ.

Blessings,
Linnabel Aghan
Center Manager, Bondeni

Total Enrolled: 1000 students
Total Unsponsored: 254 students

Jonah and Derek are brothers who both attend Missions of Hope International (MOHI) Bondeni center. They joined MOHI in 2011 and 2013 respectively and they have been with us since then.

After Jonah joined MOHI in 2011, we quickly discovered that the family was dealing with a lot of conflicts. At the time, the family was living with their paternal grandmother who did not get along with the boys’ mother. Their father was a cobbler struggling with alcohol and was unable to provide for his family. 

In 2015, their parents separated and their mother left the boys and went to live with her parents. The children’s situation went from bad to worse. They started being neglected, their hygiene standards dropped and they developed a negative attitude towards school.

Jonah would come to school with a tattered uniform, unkempt hair and he would wear the same shirt and shorts. At home, his grandmother and father had no say in his affairs. Derek would miss school for no apparent reason and he was constantly in trouble due to this chronic absenteeism. The state of the home was no better since there was no one to do the cleaning or supervise the boys to do the cleaning.

The family social worker intervened to create awareness to the family on the importance of attending school and having a healthy home. After constant follow-up, Derek started to attend school again and Jonah would try his best to be neat. We also encouraged their father to be reconciled with his wife and have his family functioning as it should.

It was an answer to prayer that their mother came back to live with them in 2019. The family also moved out to live on their own (without the boys’ grandmother) and with sanitation training from our staff, the house where they now live is clean and hygienic.

In the process of working with the two boys, we realized they were having a challenge in their studies. MOHI facilitated their assessment at the Kenya Institute of Special Education and it was confirmed that both Jonah and Derek have a learning disability. The family social worker engaged the parents in counseling sessions to help them understand their children’s needs better. In school, teachers gave the boys extra attention and engaged in activities to help them comprehend what they are learning in class. The efforts have been paying off and we are proud to report that Jonah is among grade eight learners who took the national examination.

The family is doing well as a whole. Their mother now operates a small shop just outside their residential block and the father is a water vendor and he still does his cobbler work. He is supporting his family and the mother is taking care of the family’s needs.  What a joy to see this holistic transformation of a family restored. We give all glory to God.

**Names changed

• Grade four students held a talent search. This was done as a competition among the three classes and the emerging winners were crowned Mr and Miss Bondeni.
• We were able to test our students’ readiness for the national examination held in March.

• For the class of 2020/2021 and the transition to high school.
• For the wellbeing of the entire Bondeni family and also of MOHI’s founders.
• For our partners. We are so grateful for your continued support.