At Rafiki Mtaani, every story of reintegration is special, but some tug at our hearts in ways we can hardly describe. One of those stories is that of *J, a man who has spent over three decades living on the streets, far from the family that once called him their own. His journey back home is a profound reminder of why we do what we do—and the transformative power of persistence, love, and hope.
J’s story begins in 1991 when he left home following the passing of his mother. He and his siblings, all still young and devastated by their loss, chose a life on the streets. They ran away from their grandmother’s care in Laikipia County and embraced the harsh reality of street life. Despite the family’s best efforts to bring them back home, the pull of the streets proved too strong. Out of five children, only three are alive today—J’s being one of them, along with his two remaining siblings, who also continue to live on the streets in difficult conditions.
For years, J’s family, especially his aunt, tried to convince him to return home. She held onto hope, even as the years passed and her pleas went unheard. But recently, something shifted for *J. Maybe it was his declining health, or maybe it was the understanding that he deserved the love and warmth of home. Whatever it was, when we at Rafiki Mwema approached him, he was ready. And so, with our team by his side, he began his journey back to his family.
The reunion was deeply emotional. *J’s aunt, the last surviving adult relative, couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw him. She had fought for so long to bring him home, but it was only with the support of Rafiki Mtaani that this day finally arrived. When we left, *J appeared to feel a mixture of sadness and relief—perhaps reflecting on the many years he had spent away. But by the time we reached his family, joy had returned to his face as he recognised his aunt, who had never given up on him.
*J’s aunt is a pillar of strength. Having lost all her siblings, she now cares for the orphans they left behind. Some of these children were raised in different children’s homes, but now, she bears the full responsibility of looking after them. Her courage and love are an inspiration to us all.
For our Rafiki Mtaani team, this reunion is a powerful milestone. The fact that we were able to help remove one more person from the streets and reintegrate him into his family is an achievement we hold close to our hearts. It’s stories like *J’s that remind us why we continue this work—and how vital it is to create pathways back home for those who have lost their way.
But none of this would be possible without the support of people like you. Your belief in second chances, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to our mission enable us to make these reunions a reality. We are forever grateful for your contributions.
*J’s story is far from over. His return home is the start of a new chapter—one filled with healing, love, and hope. As we continue to walk alongside him and countless others, we hold onto the belief that no one is ever truly lost. With the right support, every person can find their way back home.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
With love and gratitude,
The Rafiki Mwema Team
If you would like to support our Rafiki Mtaani program, we would be so grateful if you set up a recurring or one-off donation over on our website here.
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