Love looks like protecting a childhood

At age 11, Susan* found herself alone. Her mother had died, and her father was not in the home. We call these kids “lost kids” – children with no place to go, no family, no security, left to fend for themselves. This is when they are most vulnerable. They may be exploited for labor, abused, neglected, trafficked, sold into slavery or, often with very young girls, forced into marriage. These kids lose more than their childhood, they lose their options for escaping the cycle of poverty.

But God intervened when Susan found herself in a hospital. No one came to see her and there was no contact listed on her medical records. Susan was alone – until the Social Office got involved and called Kids Alive Kenya.

After several months of research, Kids Alive Kenya was successful in tracing Susan’s father, a night watchman and sometimes casual laborer, and reuniting the family. But an older man and some members of the community had other ideas. He wanted to marry Susan and the men of the community were pressuring the father to release his young daughter. Thankfully, through the reunification process, Susan’s father had grown to have other goals for her future. But he needed help.

So Kids Alive Kenya developed a plan to help secure Susan’s safety. An informal support team including a teacher we know and trust, the local government chief, Susan’s father, and even Susan herself all have vital roles to play.