Meet Brighton
Aged 11, Kenya
Brighton lives with his family in a two-room mud house with an iron roof. It has an earth floor which is very uneven and they have a separate kitchen where their chickens sleep and where they prepare their food. The whole family sleep in the one bedroom. They have their own well which is from where they collect their main source of water. The water has to be boiled first before they are able to drink it. In the kitchen, they have made a three stone cooking area and Brighton's mother fetches firewood for them to cook with. They have a toilet which is in poor condition and it does not have a roof or a door.
Brighton's father does casual jobs so that he can try and feed his family and Brighton's mother has started selling vegetables so that she can support her husband whenever she can. On their joint income they have tried to pay the children's school fees before attending to any other needs, but this is difficult. By being part of the sponsorship program, Brighton can attend school and have consistent access to a quality education enabling him to learn and thrive.
Brighton loves going to church and singing in the Sunday school. He loves playing with his friends when he is not helping his mother with chores. He hopes that one day he will become a doctor.
Where Brighton lives
The Open Arms Village was founded in 2006 to meet the immediate needs of orphaned and abandoned children in western Kenya who were suffering from a wide variety of life-threatening diseases. After the 2008 political violence left thousands of children orphaned, abandoned and homeless, the project grew to support more children. Today, the Open Arms Village is now home to over 150 children with 10 purpose-built family homes and the Open Arm Academy is educating children and giving them a hopeful future.
Why Stand by Me?
What you receive
When you sponsor Brighton you will receive a pack in the post with his story and photo. Every year you will receive an update about his progress, a new photo and at least one communication from him.
Real relationship
We know our kids love to receive your emails and write back so we encourage you to write as many emails as you like, along with photos and birthday gifts to develop a genuine relationship.
Not sure yet?
Ask us anything. We’ve helped sponsors change 1000s of kids’ lives, and we know it can be a big decision. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
