Nuru Foundation Brings Christmas Cheer to Street Children in Langas, Uasin Gishu
In a heartwarming display of love, generosity, and community spirit, the Nuru Foundation, led by its founder Hellen Jeptoo, celebrated Christmas with over 250 street children in Langas, Uasin Gishu County. The event, held in collaboration with the Bethsaida City Baptist Church, provided a festive meal and a day of joy for children who have no families or homes to call their own. The foundation’s annual Christmas outreach aims to bring light to those who have been forgotten by society and to remind them that they are valued.
“We are deeply grateful to God and to the church for graciously hosting us today as we come together to share a Christmas meal with these children,” said Jeptoo. “Many of these children have been living on the streets for years, without parents or relatives, and it’s our mission to show them love and care. We work tirelessly in Uasin Gishu and beyond to support the less fortunate, and this festive season, we’ve reached out to different areas, bringing hope, food, and the spirit of Christmas to as many people as possible.”
The event was not just about the meal; it was an opportunity to offer these children a sense of belonging and normalcy during a season when many are surrounded by family and joy. With no families to celebrate with, these children often face loneliness, hunger, and neglect, but for a few hours, they were able to experience the warmth of kindness and community. The foundation prepared a hearty lunch for the children, serving over 250 plates of food, each meal a small act of compassion and a step toward showing these young people that they are not forgotten.
However, the day was also a reminder of the broader, systemic issues faced by street children. Benson Juma Akumu, a rights activist and reformed street child who has dedicated his life to helping others in similar situations, expressed his gratitude to the Nuru Foundation for their visit and the special meal. He also highlighted the deep challenges faced by street children, particularly in their struggle to obtain official documents, such as identity cards, which are essential for employment and accessing government services.
“Many of these children are over 28 years old and have never had the opportunity to obtain an identity card,” Akumu explained. “Without proper documentation, they face enormous barriers to employment, social services, and basic rights. It is essential that the government facilitates the process of issuing identity cards to these children. Some of them have lived on the streets since they were born, and they cannot be expected to have the same paperwork as those who were raised in stable homes. Without these documents, they remain invisible to society, and it’s difficult for them to build a better future.”
He urged the government to act swiftly to ensure that street children are given access to the legal documentation they need. “These children have the potential to contribute positively to society, but they need support to do so. Identity cards are a crucial first step toward social inclusion, and we call on the Ministry of the Interior to facilitate the issuance of identity cards for these young people.”
Rev. Dennis Oyancha, the pastor at Bethsaida City Baptist Church, also shared his thoughts during the celebration. He expressed gratitude to the Nuru Foundation for their continued support of street children and their efforts to bring smiles to their faces. “We thank God for giving us the opportunity to celebrate Christmas differently this year,” Rev. Oyancha said. “In our church, over three-quarters of our members are former street children. We understand the challenges they face, and the impact Nuru Foundation has made in their lives will never be forgotten. We pray that other leaders and organizations will follow suit and step up to help those who are often left behind, especially the street children. They need our love, our care, and our support.”
The Christmas celebration was also an opportunity for the children themselves to express their feelings of hope and gratitude. Yvonne Koech, a 24-year-old street child, spoke with emotion about how meaningful the event was to her and the other children. “This has been the best Christmas I’ve ever had,” she said. “We’ve never had an opportunity to experience something like this before. We hope that more well-wishers will join Nuru Foundation in helping us. We just want to be treated like normal people. We’re not asking for special treatment, just the chance to be included in society. It’s time the government fast-tracks the process of issuing identity cards to street children so that we can be part of the community.”
Mercy Atieno, another street child, added her voice to the call for support, expressing deep appreciation for the foundation’s efforts. “Thank you for the love you’ve shown us today,” she said. “It’s not every day that we get to enjoy a meal like this. May God bless you for the kindness you’ve shown us. We may be living on the streets, but we have dreams, and today, we feel like we matter.”
The Nuru Foundation’s outreach in Langas is part of a broader initiative to support over 5,000 street children in Uasin Gishu County alone. These children, who live in dire circumstances, often face a future filled with uncertainty. Many struggle with physical and mental health issues, and without proper documentation, they are excluded from many of the opportunities that others take for granted. The foundation has been at the forefront of efforts to provide food, shelter, education, and healthcare for street children, but it has also been advocating for systemic change that can offer these young people a chance at a better life.
As part of its mission, the foundation has been calling on the government to create a legal framework that can support and rehabilitate street children. “Street children are often treated as outcasts, but they are human beings, just like anyone else,” said Jeptoo. “They deserve to have their rights protected and to be given the opportunity to build meaningful, productive lives. This Christmas celebration is just one small step, but it’s part of a bigger effort to bring attention to the needs of these children and to encourage more people to help.”
The Nuru Foundation continues to work tirelessly to ensure that street children in Uasin Gishu and beyond receive the care, support, and opportunities they need to thrive. By providing food, shelter, education, and emotional support, the foundation aims to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness and offer these children a chance to live with dignity and hope.
As the festive season continues, the Nuru Foundation urges the government, local leaders, and other well-wishers to come together to provide a lasting solution for the thousands of street children who call Uasin Gishu home. Only through collective action can we ensure that these vulnerable children are not left behind but given the opportunity to live fulfilling, empowered lives.
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