Meet Joseph Mwangi

Birthdate: May 28, 2002
Age: 9
Birthplace: Mombasa
Class: STD 2, Koma Hill
Siblings at HOREC: Boniface, Josephine, Thomas
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite subject: English, Counting
Favorite activity: Driving a car
Favorite animal: Lion
Occupation: Pilot

Joseph is the third born. His mother died of HIV/AIDS in 2006. When his mother passed in 2006, his father was bedridden and unable to care for Joseph and his siblings. Their grandmother in Maragwa got custody of the children and they were being cared for by their aunt before coming to HOREC in December 2008. Joseph’s father has since passed due to HIV/AIDS. Joseph is HIV+.

Joseph likes to smile and read. He helps at HOREC by picking up trash on the grounds.

Meet Jane Nduku

Birthdate: 2005

Age: 7
Birthplace: Joska
Class: Nursery at HOREC
Siblings at HOREC: None

Favorite color: Red

Favorite subject: Counting
Favorite activity: Swimming
Favorite animal: Zebra
Occupation: Police

Jane was referred to HOREC in September 2010. She was abandoned and referred to HOREC by a teacher where she was going to school. She was found sleeping outside and malnourished. She has a lot of fear and was likely abused. Jane’s grandmother is still living but was unable to take care of her due to her age and health.

Jane helps with cleaning the grounds. She likes swinging and dancing.

Meet Francisca Nyambura

Birthdate: 2004

Age: 8
Birthplace: Kaikundo
Class: STD 2, Koma Hill
Siblings at HOREC: None
Favorite color: Red
Favorite subject: Reading
Favorite activity: Swimming
Favorite animal: Cow
Occupation: Teacher

Francisca joined HOREC in August 2011. Her parents died and her remaining family members were not able to care for her. Francisca likes coloring, singing and dancing. She loves to smile. She helps with picking up trash on the grounds. Her teacher says she is doing very well in school.

Meet Colleta Avucheri

Birthdate: December 1, 1999
Age: 12
Birthplace: Mumias, lived in Kiambiu
Class: STD 7, Koma Hill
Siblings at HOREC: Susan (twin)
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite subject: Science
Favorite activity: Long Jump
Favorite animal: Cat
Occupation: Doctor

Fav Bible Verse: Psalm 125:1

Colleta has a twin sister, Susan, at HOREC. In 2005 the girls’ mother died and they went to live with their grandmother who could not care for them. They were abused then rescued by the Children’s Department and brought to HOREC in 2006. She has 3 brothers and 6 sisters (including Susan).

Colleta helps with mopping the floors and cleaning the dorms and bathroom at HOREC. She likes swimming and knitting.

Meet Carolyne (Carol) Wambura

Birthdate: February 24, 1995

Age: 17
Birthplace: Nyeri
Class: Form 4, Manyatta Secondary School
Siblings at HOREC: None
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite subject: Geography, Biology, Business, Math
Favorite activity: Basketball
Favorite animal: Rabbit
Occupation: Accountant
Fav Bible Verse: Psalm 125

Carol’s mother died of AIDS in 2006 leaving her under the custody of her grandmother who was sick. She joined HOREC in 2009 after her grandmother died and her other relatives could not care for her. She was brought to HOREC by a friend of Christine’s. She was a neighbor to the Maina’s in Nyeri. Carol is the second born in a family of three; she has one sister and one brother.

Carol stays at a boarding school most of the year and returns to HOREC on school breaks. Benedita’s (HOREC’s cook) son, Michael, also attends the same boarding school.

Meet Daniel (Dan) Kimani

Birthdate: February 12, 2007
Age: 5
Birthplace: Nairobi (Dandora)
Class: Nursery at HOREC
Siblings at HOREC: None
Favorite color: Green
Favorite subject: Counting
Favorite activity: Ball
Favorite animal: Cow

Daniel’s mother died in the hospital and he was abandoned shortly afterwards by the relative that was caring for him due to family disputes (his caregiver’s husband wanted nothing to do with the boy). He was brought to HOREC in December 2008. Dan is HIV+.

Dan is very active and curious. He loves to smile and “ham it up” for the camera.

Meet Cecilia Awour

Birthdate: July 25, 1994
Age: 17
Birthplace: Mbita
Class: Form 1
Siblings at HOREC: None
Favorite color: Purple, Green, Orange, Blue, Pink
Favorite subject: English, Social Studies
Favorite activity: Soccer, Singing
Favorite animal: Dog
Occupation: Embroidery, Fashion Designer, Wedding Planner, Army Soldier

Fav Bible Verse: Matthew 7:12-13

Cecilia is an only child. Her mother was unable to care for her and her father passed away. She joined HOREC in December 2007. She was brought to HOREC by her uncle.

Cecilia is outgoing and social and has a beautiful smile. She helps with cleaning the hall/dorms/bathrooms, cooking and laundry at HOREC. Cecilia is a good swimmer. She also likes to sing and have fun. Cecilia studied for her STD8 exams in November 2011, and started high school at a boarding school in 2012.

Meet Grace Mukami

Birthdate: October 5, 1997
Age: 14
Birthplace: Nairobi
Class: STD 7, Koma Hill
Siblings at HOREC: None
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite subject: Science and English
Favorite activity: Soccer
Favorite animal: Cow
Occupation: Doctor

Fav Bible Verse: John 15:7

Grace has two brothers. Her grandmother cared for her for some time but then she was referred to HOREC by the Children’s Department. Her brothers still live with her grandmother. Grace joined HOREC in 2006.

Grace is a quiet girl. She helps with doing laundry and washing dishes at HOREC. Grace likes to sing.

Meet Alice Wanjugu

Birthdate: December 26, 1995
Age: 16
Birthplace: Nyeri
Class: Form 2
Siblings at HOREC: Agnes, Antony, Jackson
Favorite color: Pink, Blue
Favorite subject: Biology
Favorite activity: Soccer, Singing
Favorite animal: Cat, Rabbit
Occupation: Doctor or Journalist
Fav Bible Verse: Deuteronomy 28:7; Psalm 4

Both of Alice’s parents died (her mom passed away from suffering from diabetes and her dad passed later from HIV/AIDS) and left a family of six. Alice was admitted to HOREC in January 2007 with her sister, Agnes. Her uncle brought them to HOREC, because he had a friend who knew about HOREC. Her two brothers, Antony and Jackson, were admitted to HOREC in January 2008. Her eldest sister is married and her older brother is at home.

Alice likes to play the drums and sing. Alice started high school in 2011 and returns to HOREC during school breaks and holidays. When she is home from break, she can be found helping with the laundry and administering medicine to the younger children.