Meet Leon
Aged 8, Kenya
Leon is the oldest of two children. His parents separated and as a result his mother had to move with them to a different town from their father. They now live in a single room mud house with an iron sheet roof in poor condition. The depend on the light from the door. They have one bed and one chair that their aunt left for them before she left to a different town. The three of them sleep on the bed and use one blanket and a worn out mattress. They have an outside kitchen that is shared by a number of households.
His mother does casual jobs that are not always stable and earns a little amount of money that she can help pay for the house rent and buy food for her children. She is hopeful that she would soon join the money lending and savings group.
Leon loves playing soccer with his friends and enjoys going to church. He is young and is yet to identify his dreams and aspirations but his mother says that Leon normally talks about airplanes and he normally wishes to operate one, so she concluded he would like to become a pilot in the future.
Where Leon 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 Leon 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.
