She is all grown! Photos of Eldoret baby found dumped in bush protected by dogs turns 6

In Eldoret town, on a sunny afternoon six years ago, a band of at least ten stray dogs who were curiously looking at an unusual bundle, waggin’ their tails, and snarling suspiciously drew onlookers.

The dogs left as soon as people started to gather around the abandoned infant, shocking the onlookers who were shocked to discover a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket.

“The baby was unharmed and was not even crying. It was not known how long she had been there but her age was estimated to be less than two weeks,” Bishop Wilson Kurui of Jesus Love Ministry said.

This was what he was told by a group of people who picked the baby girl and rushed her to a children’s home under Kurui’s custody.

“We have never understood why the rescuers chose this children’s home and not the hospital or police station but God’s plans are never coincidences,” he said of the incident that happened in December 2015.

The bishop’s first move was to thank God for rescuing the baby and immediately rushed her to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital where she was given a clean bill of health and her age estimated to two weeks.

According to the man of the cloth, together with his wife Christine, they took the baby to Eldoret Central Police Station and reported the matter after she was confirmed to be fine after which temporary custody was given to the Jesus Love Ministry Children’s Home.

Through regular appeals, well-wishers like Faith Hope and Love, Feel A Bucket with Love, Genesis Family 254 and other faith-based and charity organisations committed to cater for baby formulae, milk, food medicine and other essential needs for the baby’s growth, all while she was at the Kurui-managed children’s home.

A random visit to the children’s home would easily lead you to where the baby angel was.

She became a darling of the facility and older children and caretakers would scramble to babysit her. Just like angels are adored, so was the girl who never knew her parents and family away from the centre.

Six years later

“Blessings come in many ways. Angel was left to die but God knew she was to live to become a vibrant and charming daughter who lights up our lives. She is a living testimony and a miracle to say the less,” Kurui said.

He described the child as a brilliant girl with an admirable grasp of new knowledge.

“She’s sharp and eloquent. She is in grade one under the British system of education but she always points out our grammatical errors reminding one that education knows no age,” Kurui said amid laughter.

The cleric who was once a street child in Mombasa after running away from cruel parents said he will do whatever is within his means to ensure the brilliant girl achieves all her life’s desires.

“We believe she will be a champion and advocate of less fortunate children. Every December we celebrate her birthday as a family. It reminds us of the journey that God has brought us through so far and gives us hope for an even better tomorrow,” Kurui said with a beaming smile.

According to the founder of the children’s home, who was inspired to champion the needs of vulnerable kids by his childhood, the centre has rescued about 70 children and rehabilitated 30 others from 2007 to date.

He explained that most of the children were abandoned or hurled in dire situations by the 2007/2008 post-election violence that led to many deaths and displacement of families.

Kurui disclosed that the electioneering period saw many parents separate with their children whom many chose to call the streets their second home.

“Our mission is to accommodate, rehabilitate, feed, and educate the children. Those who are elderly are also assisted to get national Identity Cards so that they can secure jobs and do other productive activities with their lives,” he explained.

The bishop who chose street life in the 70s was rescued after a neighbour notified his parents of having seen their missing child in a far city of Mombasa, hundreds of kilometres from their native home.

He was taken back to school with intervention from the larger family and studied until he became a professional teacher before choosing the theological path.

Kurui was also proud to mention a girl they rescued from the streets where she was being used to peddle substances and took her to school.

“She is now a high school teacher, married with a family and supports our agenda. This is what gives me the passion to continue giving such children a asecond chance,” he said.

The Bishop took issue with the parents of today while noting that they are no longer responsible a more reason to worry.

He urged parents and well-wishers to deliberately visit children’s home during the festive season and offer parental support beyond material gifts to inspire the children therein to know they can become successful in life despite their difficult phases.

Source: Tuko