A First Birthday....at 15

Maina turned 15 years old and celebrated his birthday for the very first time! He was elated!

Kenyans do not really celebrate birthdays. Though  there is a growing population of Kenyans who are more Westernized and are beginning to do such things, the average Kenyan - the vast majority of Kenyans - would never dream of having a party to simply celebrate their birthday. In fact, many Kenyans have no idea when their birthday is. 

None of my boys knew their birthdays when they came to live with me. We have tracked down their birth certificates over the past few months. The day I told them their actual birthdate was a like a gift itself. A few of them really asked “I have a birthday?” Not only did they not know their birthdays, a few of them were off on their ages by a few years! It turns out that Maina, who thought he was 12, is actually turning 15. And Patrick, who thought he was 15, is actually turning 19 this year!

Maina has been looking forward to this day for weeks! His first birthday cake....

His first birthday party....

His first birthday presents....

And he got to celebrate it all with his new brothers. What a joy it was to tell Maina that his life is worth celebrating! We rejoice ~ with hamburgers, fries, birthday cake, balloons, birthday banners and presents ~ because he was born! 

Thank you to those who give to and support His Cherished Ones! Maina’s life has ben changed because of you!