Each Rafiki Village mama lives in a 4 bedroom cottage with 10 boys or 10 girls. The ages range from 5 to 12. These native Kenyan women love the children, nurture and discipline them, and care for the cottage as if it were their own home. The mamas meet each week for Bible Study and a parent-training seminar led by Julie, the Rafiki staff missionary. The mamas are on duty 24/7 for their Rafiki children, but every two weeks, they get 2 days off. Most mamas go and visit their own biological families nearby. Each evening at Rafiki Village, the mama gathers her children in the living room for singing hymns and reading out of student Bibles. They pray for each other and also for needs of the entire village. Howard and I have visited several cottages for evening devotions and have been moved to tears by these kids and their mamas! Their hearts are full and so tender!
Right now, in Kenya, there are 6 cottages. The older students--junior high and senior high age--live in residence halls. There are 20 boys who live with a married couple and their own 2 sons. The 13 girls live in a residence hall with 2 matrons. In the residence halls, the students are learning to be more independent, in preparation for their graduation from secondary school.
I have had the privilege of conducting a Book Club with these ladies every Wednesday during the time I have been here. It has been great getting to know them better by reading together.
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