May 5, 2024 – It was a Sunday afternoon well spent for our parish Youth Group, who organized an outreach visit to the Malindi Children’s Rescue Center, a home for orphans and vulnerable children. With hearts full of compassion and bags full of supplies, about 25 of our youth and a few accompanying adults went to spread love and cheer to the 30 children residing at the center.
After attending the 8:30 AM Youth Mass (where the outreach was specially blessed by Fr. Sossy during announcements), the group carpooled to the Rescue Center, which is about 5 kilometers from the parish. They arrived to excited little faces – the children (aged 3 to 15) were already gathered in their common hall, singing a Swahili welcome song. Some of our youth had been there before, but for many it was the first time, and they later shared how it was eye-opening to see kids so joyful despite hardships.
The visit kicked off with lively singing and dancing. Our youth taught the kids a few action Christian songs (like “I’ve got joy joy joy down in my heart” with Swahili verses). In return, the children sang a song about friendship that they had prepared. It quickly broke the ice, and soon everyone was mingling comfortably.
Next was a fun games session. Our team had brought along a football, jump ropes, and some board games. Outside in the yard, they organized a short football match – mixing youth and the older kids into two teams. It was pure delight: laughter rang out as goals were scored (one little boy did a victory dance that had everyone in stitches). Others did jump-rope challenges and played “blada” (a local jumping game with elastic bands). Meanwhile, a few youth remained indoors with the youngest kids doing simpler games like building blocks and hand-clapping rhymes. The room radiated happiness; one youth member, Grace, commented, “I forgot all my troubles seeing their smiles. They ministered to us more than we to them.”
After everyone was tuckered out, they gathered for a sharing and encouragement session. Our Youth leader, Michael, spoke briefly telling the children that they are loved by God and by many people, and encouraged them to study hard and dream big, reminding them that some famous people came from humble backgrounds too. One of our Magis members gave a testimony of her own childhood – how she lost her dad young and felt alone, but found strength through faith and church community. She told the kids, “Never think you are forgotten. Jesus is with you as your friend and we, your big brothers and sisters from church, are with you too.” Some of the children clapped enthusiastically, and one older girl at the home stood up to thank the youth for spending time, saying it inspires her to also help others when she grows up.
Our team didn’t come empty-handed. Thanks to donations from parishioners (who contributed to a special collection the previous Sunday) and some youth chipping in their own savings, they presented the center with supplies: sacks of maize and beans, rice, cooking oil, soap, toothpaste, and notebooks and pencils for the school-going kids. Additionally, the CWA had prepared some clothing bundles that were handed over – including lovingly sewn dresses and shorts in various sizes. The caretakers of the center were visibly grateful, saying these would go a long way to support the children’s needs.
The most touching moment came when it was time to go. Our youth had prepared small personal gift packs for each child: a packet containing biscuits, a juice box, a rosary (for those of Christian background), and a handwritten card. The cards, made by our Sunday School kids, each had a simple uplifting message like “Jesus loves you” or “You are special” with a colorful drawing. As our youth handed these to each child individually, there were hugs and even a few tears. One little boy, about 5, immediately wore the rosary around his neck and held onto the biscuit as if it was gold.
Before parting, everyone joined in a closing prayer circle. One of the children, a boy named Ali, surprised us by volunteering to lead the prayer – he prayed in Swahili thanking God for new friends and asking God to bless “wote wenye walituletea furaha” (all those who brought us joy). It was a heartfelt moment that underscored how God’s love had been shared in both directions.
The youth left in the late afternoon, promising to return again. On the ride back, they were a bit quieter – in reflection. At the next youth meeting, many shared how the experience moved them: “I realize how much I have to be thankful for,” “I want to do more visits like that, maybe monthly, not just once,” and “Those kids gave me so much love. It fuels me to be a better person.”
The outreach was indeed a success – not measured just by goods delivered, but by the human connections formed. Our youth put corporal works of mercy into practice: they visited the little ones, played with them, comforted them, and in turn, saw Christ in them. The Rescue Center staff later wrote to the parish, saying the children talked about the visit for days and even slept holding the cards they got.
This blog is as much to commend our amazing youth as it is to thank you, the parish community, for supporting such initiatives. Truly, “faith without works is dead,” and these young people showed our faith is alive and compassionate. May we all be inspired by them to reach out to those in need around us – be it children, the elderly, the lonely.
Plans are already afoot for another outreach: possibly to the local hospital or a home for the elderly, as the youth expressed interest. We pray that this spirit of service continues to burn bright.
Kudos, St. Charles Lwanga Youth! Keep being the hands and feet of Jesus. In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Indeed, you have done so.
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