The Cry of the Royal Toto Children’s Home

Sharon was born with HIV, and soon her AIDS-infected parents both died. At the age of five, she came to the Royal Toto Children’s Home in Kenya with skin cancer, tuberculosis, fungus all over her tongue, open infected wounds on her face, and tumors pressing on her brain. She suffered greatly, and countless nights she could not sleep but only groan.

	Michelle Ko with some of the children

Michelle Ko, an SIM missionary from Taiwan, cared for her. She took the suffering child into her bed and held her small body in her arms through the long nights. She recalls, “I could not help but cry, for I was heart-broken to see little Sharon suffering so much. I often prayed that God’s grace would be sufficient for this little child at every sunrise. During those difficult days I often prayed with her and told her, ‘Jesus loves you and He is with you.’ Sharon died on July 19, 2005. Now the other children ask, ‘Where did Sharon go?’ We tell them that she is now in the beautiful home with Jesus, that she no longer needs to suffer physical pain.”

Special Orphans—Special Needs

The Royal Toto Children’s Home exists for children like Sharon. It’s a branch of the Rainbow Children’s Home, which is operated in partnership with the Africa Inland Church and Diguna Mission (a Christian mission from Germany). Two hundred orphans find a loving home in the Rainbow Children’s Home. In the past couple of years, it became obvious that the orphans who were HIV positive needed special care, and for them the Royal Toto Children’s Home was opened in 2004. Up to 28 orphans can live in the two Royal Toto houses, and there are hopes to expand in the future.

Facing Tough Circumstances

Children with HIV face many traumas besides their own illness and impending death. They often first watch their AIDS infected parents grow sicker until they die painfully. Although it’s preferable for HIV positive children to stay with a family, the sad fact is that communities have become so saturated with ill orphans that there is no one willing to take them in. The children frequently suffer discrimination and abandonment, and many end up living on danger-laden streets.

Pray:

Please pray for Michelle Ko who carries a heavy administrative load, and for the Kenyan caregivers who feel the children’s suffering.