On December 14, 2024, Anziano Foundation, in collaboration with friends and well-wishers, brought early Christmas cheer to the children at Our Lady of Guadalupe Children’s Home. This initiative was part of the foundation’s commitment to one of its key focus areas, “Community and Social Initiatives,”which aims to uplift lives through charity programs and community support.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CHILDRENS’ HOME is located at Kiamumbi, Kahawa west off KAMITI ROAD has been a safe haven for orphaned, abandoned and resqued street kids for over 10 years. The home provides the children with a shelter, food, education, love and warmth that only a family could give. Moreover, the home has produced young men and women of substance throughout the years thus earning a good reputation. Currently the children’s home host 41 children with 22 being girls and 19 boys of ages between 7 and 23 years.

We arrived at the home at 10 a.m. and were warmly welcomed by both the manager called Jacinta and the children. The joy on their faces was unmistakable, and it was clear they were delighted to see us. We, too, were excited about spending the day with the lively and bubbly kids.

The day was packed with a variety of activities, including cooking, mentorship, and playing with the children. The first activity, cooking, was a collaborative effort between us and the kids. The older children actively participated by helping with food preparation through; chopping onions, grating carrots, and cutting tomatoes and cabbage while our team took on the cooking itself. This process created an excellent opportunity for us to interact with the children and learn more about their lives, including their hobbies, school experiences, and aspirations.

We later on shared a meal with them. This was a very heartwarming and memorable experience. There was a beautiful sense of community as we all ate together, like one big family. Watching the children enjoy their meals and seeing their gratitude made us realize how much this simple act of sharing a meal meant to the and to us. It was a reminder of the power of togetherness and the joy of building connections through small but meaningful moments.

There after we engaged in different games and dancing competition. The children’s excitement was contagious, and their cheerful energy made the moment truly special. We set up dartboards and took turns aiming, with cheers erupting whenever someone hit the bullseye. Chess became a stage for friendly competition, where the older kids showed off their strategic thinking and even taught a few of us some clever moves. Stacks and Monopoly brought endless laughter, especially during heated debates over game rules or playful rivalries over property trades. When it was time to dance, the music transformed the space into a lively dance floor. The kids showed off their favourite moves with enthusiasm, encouraging us to join in. We laughed at our own attempts to match their steps, but their contagious energy kept us moving.

We then gathered in a ocircle for a mentorship session filled with inspiration and encouragement. Members of our group took turns sharing uplifting words with the children, but the highlight of the session was an address by our Foundation’s Managing Trustee, CPA Samwel Gathia.

Mr. Gathia urged the children to dream big and work diligently towards their goals, assuring them that their current circumstances do not define their future. He emphasized that what truly matters is the direction they choose and the effort they put into shaping their story. He also encouraged the children to care for and support one another, reminding them that success is far more meaningful when achieved together as a family. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of nurturing their talents, explaining that as the world evolves, the most valued individuals in the job market are those who are holistic and multifaceted. To this end, he assured the children that the foundation is committed to helping them realize their potential by providing necessary help where they can to develop their talents and achieve their dreams.

As the day’s activities drew to an end, we shared a delicious cake to symbolize the great time we spent together with the kids. Laughter and joy filled the space as the pieces of cakes were being passed around, each bite adding to the warm and festive atmosphere. At that moment the foundation presented its donations which included dry foods, personal care items, stationeries, clothes and other essentials. In addition, a cheque of Ksh 20,000 was handed over to support the children’s back-to-school shopping in January 2025.

After the cake, it was time for the vote of thanks. A representative from the foundation stood up to express gratitude to the children, the staff, and the management for their hospitality. They highlighted how much the visit had impacted us, describing it as a deeply meaningful and humbling experience. In turn, Jacinta the manager of the children’s home popularly referred as ‘’MUM” expressedheartfelt appreciation for the visit, acknowledging the effort, time, and resources that had gone into making the day special. She thanked the foundation for not only bringing joy to the children but also for inspiring them with mentorship and support for their future aspirations.

The day ended on a high note, with everyone exchanging warm goodbyes and promises to stay connected, leaving behind cherished memories and a renewed sense of hope.