Help Maurice and his family move out of the slums
Donation protected
Maurice, aged 28, is living in the slums of Korogocho, Kenya with his aunt, 3 sisters and 6 cousins. They currently live in a room built out of wood, mud and metal pieces, and held together by straw. Maurice is attempting to improve their living conditions, with the plan being that of buying a piece of land in Kenya, building a house on it to own a home and live in it, and also work the remaining land to have a steady source of food.
How do I know Maurice?
I met Maurice when I volunteered in Taize, France for a month in 2013. He was also volunteering there, as he was selected to represent the Kenyan group from his parish. Given the different environment in Taize, Maurice was very appreciative and he longed on improving his situation at home for good. This it us at Taize:
The plan is the following:
- Buy a piece of land, between ½ to 2 acres ~ £7k cost (~1.05M Kenyan Shilling)
- Build a house + work the land ~ 5k cost (~750k Kenyan Shilling)
Anything you can donate to this cause would be so gratefully received. Every drop counts!
This is Maurice’s story:
I am Maurice Mburu Mutheu, 28 years of age, born and raised in Kenya. I was born and raised in a family of six: my parents, my three sisters and I as the first born. I don’t remember much about my early years, but when I was eight years-old my parents separated and me and my siblings went on to live with my mother.
After the separation, my mother became sick, and at some point we became unable to get our basic needs met. As a result, my mother took us to stay with my aunt as my father was not interested in taking us in. Unfortunately after a few months, my mum got worse, so she was admitted in a hospice; I was only allowed to visit her once. In 2003, she passed away, I was eleven years old.
At this point, things started to fall apart as there was no support from my father, and so it was very difficult times. My second born sister disappeared and was never seen until 2014, 10 years later - a family traced back where my sister was from. It got so bad that my two young sisters had to be taken to an orphanage home. As a result of this situation and given I could not manage this, I decided to run from home, finding myself living in the streets.
Thankfully, given the number of NGOs available, they catered for porridge and lunch, providing a source of food during the day. At times we also used to do a job for local men, like buying some items from a store. In return we would get some food. I did this multiple times before, however on one occasion a gang stole the items, and whilst defending myself, threw me in the river. My wrist was aching, something was wrong and I was so afraid I didn’t return to my ‘boss’. News travelled quickly and he found out, and told me to return home so they can take me to hospital.
At this point in my life I had never thought I’d go back home again! However I was in pain, and no one was there to help me in any possible way – everyone told me to go home. You might have heard the saying: No matter where you go, east or west, home is the best. Even though I did not want to return, I didn’t have any other options, and so given I couldn’t even sleep that night, I decided to walk all the way back home, arriving there at 3pm.
I knocked on my aunt’s door, and she was not happy to see me. Last time I was there I had insulted her and said that I will never go back. The pain was quite intense, and to be honest I didn’t hear much of what she said to me. She did not let me in the house, and I slept outside in the cold for the night. Next morning the same thing happened, and given I got no help, I decided to leave again as I was really in pain.
This day was very different, as no one wanted to help or even talk to me. So I went to another centre – Boma Rescue, for food, and that is where they realised I was in pain. There I found much more than the help I needed. I had a fracture on my left hand and it was plastered for it to heal. Thanks to them, I was able to get back to school and get my first certificate of primary level.
Then in 2009, many of us were joining high school after primary to further our studies. Given I had passed, and the situation at home had improved, I was hopeful I could do this. We had no money. At times we would go hungry for a while, and when we were lucky, we were thankful to God for providing food for us through the sister of Missionaries Charity in Huruma. Thanks to their help, and that of others, I completed high school in 2012.
At this point in time, I was also very engaged in a number of church activities, and this is where I was selected to represent the Kenyan group from my parish at Taize in France. The process of acquiring a passport and visa was a nightmare but it worked out in the end, and it was a great experience in Europe. There I decided to invest in my education as it would enable me to get a job. Another important thing is that I grew deeply in my faith and I am proof that God has always been there fighting for me all my life. He gave me friends who have helped me a lot whether small or big.
After 3 months in France, I went back home, and no one could believe that I went to France and came back – why would I? I had no other choice. Being back home, the problems there came back, but I decided to do any course readily available, through NGOs and centres present in Kenya. I have learnt how to play the guitar, how to skate and also how to drive hoping that any skills I gain can be useful in a job that takes us out of poverty. This is my current mission, to take me and my family out of poverty, and that is why I am looking for your help in obtaining funds to buy a piece of land.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you,
Maurice
How do I know Maurice?
I met Maurice when I volunteered in Taize, France for a month in 2013. He was also volunteering there, as he was selected to represent the Kenyan group from his parish. Given the different environment in Taize, Maurice was very appreciative and he longed on improving his situation at home for good. This it us at Taize:
The plan is the following:
- Buy a piece of land, between ½ to 2 acres ~ £7k cost (~1.05M Kenyan Shilling)
- Build a house + work the land ~ 5k cost (~750k Kenyan Shilling)
Anything you can donate to this cause would be so gratefully received. Every drop counts!
This is Maurice’s story:
I am Maurice Mburu Mutheu, 28 years of age, born and raised in Kenya. I was born and raised in a family of six: my parents, my three sisters and I as the first born. I don’t remember much about my early years, but when I was eight years-old my parents separated and me and my siblings went on to live with my mother.
After the separation, my mother became sick, and at some point we became unable to get our basic needs met. As a result, my mother took us to stay with my aunt as my father was not interested in taking us in. Unfortunately after a few months, my mum got worse, so she was admitted in a hospice; I was only allowed to visit her once. In 2003, she passed away, I was eleven years old.
At this point, things started to fall apart as there was no support from my father, and so it was very difficult times. My second born sister disappeared and was never seen until 2014, 10 years later - a family traced back where my sister was from. It got so bad that my two young sisters had to be taken to an orphanage home. As a result of this situation and given I could not manage this, I decided to run from home, finding myself living in the streets.
Thankfully, given the number of NGOs available, they catered for porridge and lunch, providing a source of food during the day. At times we also used to do a job for local men, like buying some items from a store. In return we would get some food. I did this multiple times before, however on one occasion a gang stole the items, and whilst defending myself, threw me in the river. My wrist was aching, something was wrong and I was so afraid I didn’t return to my ‘boss’. News travelled quickly and he found out, and told me to return home so they can take me to hospital.
At this point in my life I had never thought I’d go back home again! However I was in pain, and no one was there to help me in any possible way – everyone told me to go home. You might have heard the saying: No matter where you go, east or west, home is the best. Even though I did not want to return, I didn’t have any other options, and so given I couldn’t even sleep that night, I decided to walk all the way back home, arriving there at 3pm.
I knocked on my aunt’s door, and she was not happy to see me. Last time I was there I had insulted her and said that I will never go back. The pain was quite intense, and to be honest I didn’t hear much of what she said to me. She did not let me in the house, and I slept outside in the cold for the night. Next morning the same thing happened, and given I got no help, I decided to leave again as I was really in pain.
This day was very different, as no one wanted to help or even talk to me. So I went to another centre – Boma Rescue, for food, and that is where they realised I was in pain. There I found much more than the help I needed. I had a fracture on my left hand and it was plastered for it to heal. Thanks to them, I was able to get back to school and get my first certificate of primary level.
Then in 2009, many of us were joining high school after primary to further our studies. Given I had passed, and the situation at home had improved, I was hopeful I could do this. We had no money. At times we would go hungry for a while, and when we were lucky, we were thankful to God for providing food for us through the sister of Missionaries Charity in Huruma. Thanks to their help, and that of others, I completed high school in 2012.
At this point in time, I was also very engaged in a number of church activities, and this is where I was selected to represent the Kenyan group from my parish at Taize in France. The process of acquiring a passport and visa was a nightmare but it worked out in the end, and it was a great experience in Europe. There I decided to invest in my education as it would enable me to get a job. Another important thing is that I grew deeply in my faith and I am proof that God has always been there fighting for me all my life. He gave me friends who have helped me a lot whether small or big.
After 3 months in France, I went back home, and no one could believe that I went to France and came back – why would I? I had no other choice. Being back home, the problems there came back, but I decided to do any course readily available, through NGOs and centres present in Kenya. I have learnt how to play the guitar, how to skate and also how to drive hoping that any skills I gain can be useful in a job that takes us out of poverty. This is my current mission, to take me and my family out of poverty, and that is why I am looking for your help in obtaining funds to buy a piece of land.
Any help is appreciated.
Thank you,
Maurice
Organizer
Andrea Mifsud
Organizer
England