JOYLAND
School for the Physically Disabled
Kisumu, Kenya
10 | the salvation army caring magazine
11 | the salvation army caring magazine
GRACE WANGOSI
From a prostitute and abortionist, to a moth er for ch ildren with disabilities. by Nikole Lim
“Ever since I was born, I was a naughty girl.” At 12 years old, Grace Wangosi dropped out of school because her family couldn’t afford school tuition. In efforts to earn money, Grace worked as a house help moving from house to house. She had hopes of succeeding as a dignified girl however, she found out that it was not possible. An older man tricked her into working for him. He took her to a place with a sign saying, “Boarding.” Grace thought that it was a boarding house for children but it was the man’s intent to take advantage of her. She became pregnant. During her pregnancy she took family planning pills four times a day to abort the child. Working for several other individuals who often used her as a sex object, Grace continued to suffer in shame. Grace was unable to earn a stable living as a househelp which forced her into prostitution. As a prostitute she married out of wedlock and had a baby girl. However, unhappy with the marriage, her husband mistreated her and Grace decided to leave the marriage. At night, her ex-husband took away the baby without uttering a word leaving Grace alone and depressed. She aborted her pregnancies two other times.
I becam e a very prom iscous woma n a nd a borted on e after a noth er. Shamed by her disgraceful lifestyle, Grace left the streets to deliver babies for local women. There were many women with AIDS, but Grace would still deliver their baby and clean up after them until the job was finished. She would earn 100 shillings ($1.34) per delivery and sometimes 200 shillings ($2.67) if it was for a woman with AIDS. Grace also sold roasted corn as a means of survival. One day, she was carrying a heavy load of corn to her selling spot. A group of Salvation Army members saw her and was moved by compassion, “What can we do for you?” Grace, desperate for a new hope, asked for a job even if she had to sweep the gutters. The Salvationists promised that they would find something for her. 12 | the salvation army caring magazine
13 | the salvation army caring magazine
Even som eone like m e can h elp orphans. After the Salvationists left her, Grace was kicked out of the place she was staying in. She begged another man to take her in and he did. However, he forced her to cook for him and his guests and to sleep outside in the cold. She was also suffering from a bleeding disorder and felt that she was slowly dying. No one was there to help her. She pleaded in prayer to God wondering what was to become of her. She often cried out, Wh ere are
you? Ca n you see m e h ere? Sa ve m e at th is m om ent th at I am suffering.
She remembered the Salvationists and wrote them a letter which said, I’m dying, please h elp m e!
The Salvation Army quickly responded and gave her a job as a house mother for thirty disabled girls at the Joyland Special School for the Physically Disabled. With the help of The Salvation Army, Grace has been brought out of sexual exploitation and encourages children to be independent individuals. 14 | the salvation army caring magazine
In many ways, Grace herself felt as if she was once disabled– she was broken emotionally, psychologically, and physically. Because she did not make the best choices as a young person, she wants to encourage disabled children to thrive as young individuals despite their disabilities. God has renewed her and saved her life. Grace is now a changed woman who is free of bitterness and anger.
God h as cooled my h arsh h eart completely. At Joyland, Grace teaches, helps, and cares for the children but most importantly, she is an example of faith through her unconditional love. She is currently saving up money to purchase a portion of land that will house orphaned children with disabilities. 15 | the salvation army caring magazine
Salvation Army Kenya East Territory sponsors many special schools including Joyland Primary and Secondary School for the Physically Disabled. Though these are government schools, The Salvation Army plays an important role by providing full time chaplains to care for the spiritual needs of the students and staff. In addition, the Army has representation on the Board of Governors and owns the property the school occupies. This school provides a safe environment for children with multiple handicaps. Many children have been hidden in early years, and start school late, but Joyland makes the effort to educate them to live in society. In Kenya, the Army’s schools for children with physically disabilities all have “Joy” in their names because the spirit of joy is among the students and staff. The Salvation Army’s Joyland schools are filled with able bodied children who are learning to fight discrimination due to handicap and are an inspiration to those living with disabilities. The Salvation Army is continuing to help those like Grace Wangosi and countless disabled children to lead liberating, fulfilling, and inspiring lives.
Joyland has an enrollment of approximately 300 children. There are another 200-300 children on the waiting list for registration. The children here particularly enjoy their swimming pool, and the freedom this gives them. They also have a school choir and sing beautifully, in harmony. For more information on how you can be apart of this project, visit: www.whilewomenweep.com
14 | the salvation army caring magazine
15 | the salvation army caring magazine