From living on the streets to studying social work, Moses Mosega is a real-life role model for our kids.
And it is our own social worker, Uncle Billy, who undoubtedly influenced this young man and the career path he has chosen.
So it is a special joy for Uncle Billy to have student Moses, 19, working alongside him with our Happy House family.
Uncle Billy first met Moses, who is now studying social work at Mount Kenya University, when he was just six years old and in need of the direction and kindness of a social worker himself.
Uncle Billy takes up the story:
"Moses was living in a rehabilitation centre for street children in Nanyuki, hometown of Mt. Kenya. The centre was being run by the local authority through the Municipal Council.
"Moses has been brought up by a lone parent, his mother, the lastborn of four boys. He is from the Maasai community and at such a tender age he found his way to the streets owing to the abject poverty tainting his family.
"It never dawned on him that he would fall into bad company which quickly propelled him to another level, this time round as a junior who was found loitering and having no fixed abode in the company of other kids like him.
"Police were swift to catch up with them, referring him to the centre. During my first visit I couldn't help noticing Moses who had some distinct traits that made him stand out from the rest of the children.
"We made some pictures and left the place not without noticing how deplorable the conditions were with the kids looking frightened with despair written all over their faces.
"To my dismay, a year later Moses was back to the streets with a long list of problems that pushed him out of his former "home". The problems ranged from starvation, physical and verbal assault plus being over-worked since there was a deficit of staff and the kids were expected to do the work.
"After listening to his tribulations I extended him an invitation for a visit. This was a test he effortlessly passed since most of the street boys would promise to come to the centre but only for a bite and off they would sneak! Moses' visit underscored his desire and commitment in seeking for help hence qualifying as a genuine case.
"After admission he did very well in school with leadership skills being identified at an early age of nine.
" At some juncture we travelled for many miles to an Indian-run school for needy kids in the upper Nairobi province. I would always help with his luggage and sometimes I had six little boys to transport at a go! By and by Moses excelled in both primary and secondary exams.
"He is a good role model for our children who now have the wonderful opportunity of learning from Moses who came from similar or even worse background to their own.
"Moses is certain, in his career, to be an integral agent for change in his immediate and wider societies."
