In the heart of Meru County, in Mitunguu location, is St. Joseph Caring Home Place, a home for
street and orphaned boys. The home was founded in 2007 by the Sisters of the Poor Handmaids
of Jesus Christ. “Our charism is serving the poor, sick, children, and serving wherever need
arises,” Sr. Teresiah Ndunge said. This home has stood as a beacon of hope and transformation
for street and orphaned boys in Meru. In this home boys are given opportunities for education, personal growth, and reintegration into their families. Since 2007, the home has made a significant impact on the boys and the community. The sisters rehabilitate the street boys by counselling them and taking them to schools. They also introduce them to the Catholic faith.
Many former boys now thrive in various professional fields, a testament to this home. Among the success stories are boys who have become dentists, nurses, accountants, contractors, and many who have completed their education and contribute positively to society.
The Sisters receive substantial support from their congregation, the Catholic Diocese of Meru and the Mitunguu community. This support is crucial in getting the boys into school and ensuring they grow well in their home.
Reintegration Efforts
The Care Reform Strategy for Kenya 2022-2032 and the Children Act of 2022, demands for de-institutionalization of Children’s home. According to Sr. Teresiah from its inception their home places a strong emphasis on finding family members of the children and guiding them through the reintegration process. The boys are sent home during holidays. “Our institution is currently taking care of 68 boys and some of them are being taken care of from their home, ” she said. The home has completed 100% family assessments and evaluations. Four boys have been fully reintegrated so far. While some families welcome the children back with open arms, others are hesitant. In such cases, the home provides counselling and sensitizes families on the importance of taking care of these children.
Challenges
Despite the transformative success story, St. Joseph Caring Home Place faces significant challenges in their mission to transform the lives of street and orphaned boys. One persistent challenge is some boys run and return to the streets. The lure of street life makes it difficult for them to adapt to structured environments. Also, challenge extreme poverty of some of the families observed while reintegrating the boys to their families. When attempting to reintegrate boys back into their homes, the Sisters often encounter families that are financially incapable of providing the necessary support and resources. Additionally, there is resistance from some families to accept the boys back. Despite the counselling and sensitization efforts by the home, some family members are unwilling to take on the responsibility of caring for the boys. This resistance can stem from a variety of reasons, including past traumas, financial burdens, and social stigmas.
Conclusion
Through the dedicated efforts of the Sisters of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and the leadership of Sr. Teresiah, these boys are given opportunities for education, personal growth, and reintegration into society. The Sisters at St. Joseph’s Caring Home are dedicated to giving hope to the boy child, ensuring that those once on the streets or orphaned can find a home and a brighter future.