The wedding between John and Sylvia was a climax in the tale of a life lived triumphantly, against all odds. “These are the fruits of the hard work by the Mullis”, remarked Paul Sugut of Childslife International. And yes, indeed many of the speakers commended the good work done by Dr. and Mrs. Mulli, the founders and directors of Mully Children’s Family (MCF).
The first born in a family of three, John Maina Njoroge was born in December, 1979 in Kipkaren, Eldoret. Born to a single mother, life was hard enough. Food was a nightmare and they had to grapple with a scanty shelter as they all had to share a single room. Their mother had to sell busaa (illicit brew) in their small room to afford them a living. The hardships they went through as a family were too harsh that John was forced to go to the streets and joined other street boys in Eldoret.
However, God was gracious to him. It was while hustling with life that he met Dr. Ev. Charles Mulli. In my interview with him, Maina candidly remarked that Daddy Mulli was openly different from others he had met in the streets. He was more caring and concerned about their welfare. Others had mistreated them or even failed to pay them their dues for any work done. Mulli thus became a daddy to Maina. He provided him and other street boys with food and clothing. However, these boys had gone through a lot. They even sold the clothes given to them so as to earn some cash! The next time Daddy Mulli would give them some others. It thus became a vicious cycle. Thus Daddy had to put them together and this was in his house in Pioneer estate in Eldoret.
Daddy decided to provide the boys with basic education. Thus, there was some light at the end of the tunnel when Maina rejoined school in 1993 in a makeshift structure in Class Five. The boys were moved to Ndalani where he sat for the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education in 1996 scoring 535 marks out of the possible 700. His was the pioneer class in Mully Children’s Family. Though he would have wished to join a national high school, that did not happen. He joined MCF Ndalani Secondary School in 1997 and sat for the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2000 scoring grade B (plain). Unfortunately, he had lost his mother to brain tumor in 1998 while in Form Two.
He thereafter joined the home where he taught as a volunteer as well as assisting in the kitchen. In 2002, he was admitted at Moi University to study B.A in Social Sciences later specializing in Sociology. John graduated in 2006, time which he got engaged to Sylvia Khasoa, who was then a secretarial Studies student at Robin College of Business Studies in Eldoret and one of MCFs beneficiaries. John worked as a volunteer at MCF Eldoret until April, 2007 when he went to teach at MCF Yatta till August the same year. He then worked as a volunteer at Childslife International until the end of the year. January, 2008 saw him as a social worker in the same organization where he has risen along the ranks to become the Project Officer.
In our interview, he termed it as a blessing to have Sylvia as his companion. Having gone through harsh and traumatic experiences, they both share a lot in common.
John refers to MCF as his reference point. “It is a place of warmth, family love and protection”. He remarked. Dr. and Mrs. Mulli are Daddy and Mummy to them. On their wedding, the two remarked that the Mullis are part and parcel of their lives. It is because of them that they are to-date. They expressed a sincere and open gratitude to them.
“Life has tested you and have proved equal to the task. After overcoming an obstacle, you emerge strong and victorious”, remarked Moses Kwisero, staff at Childslife International- Kajiado. Quoting Sylvia, “Many waters cannot quench love neither can a flood drown it.” John answers, “You are my Rose of Sharon” in reference to her.
“True love is a sacred flame that burns enchantry and no one can dim its special growl or change its destiny. True love speaks in tender tones and hears with gentle care. True love gives with open heart and is still affectionate in trials and true love conquers fear. It makes no harsh demands, it neither rules nor binds and true love holds with gentle hands, the heart that it entertains to embrace with gratitude and to live happily thereafter.”
Moses Kwisero advises, “Marriage is not an assumption but a commitment.” He adds that, “problems and challenges bring out the best in us” and that “life helps us to discover our talents when faced with a bumpy terrain.”
It is great and remarkable what the Mullis have done to the two. Dr. Mulli remarked that he is proud of them. The two are “a great witness of those who stand firm in Christ,” he added. Since the time Daddy Mulli met the two they had never lacked in anything. He offered a prayer for them that God bless them and that they will be ambassadors of Christ and Mully Children’s Family. He further urges, “Do your best to save or rescue a child somewhere since Daddy Mulli can’t reach them all for this is the commission that Christ gave us.”
John and Sylvia’s experiences are testimony of what millions of poor and unfortunate Kenyan children go through due to orphanage or abandonment. They have to grapple with meager meals if any and most have to sleep in the streets. Here, they are exposed to all sorts of abuse including rape or beating by mobs. The need to cater for their basic needs forces them to indulge in all sorts of activities, some unhealthy and dangerous. They have no access to basic education and do not enjoy a number of other basic human rights. They are part of the voiceless in the society and are generally looked down upon.
Mully Children’s Family has given John, Sylvia and more than 3000 children a second chance to experience life in fullness by restoring hope and giving them a reason to smile. All the children under the care of MCF have access to food, shelter, clothing, medical care, quality education and training, family love, care and protection.
For the lover of swimming, singing, traveling and charity work, John was all smiles as the cool Sylvia was bequeathed to him, to live as one. Everyone remarked, “Glory be to God” as they were wished a happy ever after life. May God grant them the desires of their heart as they look forward to accomplish a lot for the glory of God. Amen.