“My daughter lived in Africa for six years, working first as a photojournalist for a non-profit organization and then as director of a boys’ shelter that takes in street children [Naivasha Children’s Shelter]. There are something like 300,000 children in Kenya who have nowhere to go and no one to take care of them. The problem is so big. She goes out into the streets and gets to know the boys before she brings them in, to be sure they’re willing to work at making changes in their lives. It’s so difficult to let her go, for her to be so far away and in such dangerous situations, but she’s always told me her heart is with those children. Sometimes we don’t have a good Internet connection and it’s not always easy to stay in touch, so of course I worry about her. She was supposed to be at the mall in Nairobi that day in 2013 when all those people were killed, but she had malaria and couldn’t go. She and her husband are in the States now while he finishes seminary, and she’s able to do most of her work from home, but it wouldn’t surprise me if they move back to Africa when he’s done. She’s leaving on Friday to spend two weeks at the shelter. I don't like to see her go, but you can’t protect your child. You have to give it to God. You have to leave it in his hands.”
Polly Sayres with daughter Kristen Lowry, Co-Director of Naivasha Children's Shelter. To read an interview with Keith Okello, who is also involved with the shelter, click HERE.
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