Ten children. One second chance. In Ruai, Nairobi, kindness found a home, and the story is still unfolding —By Nitin Bangale

Sometimes purpose finds us when we least expect it, quietly redirecting our lives toward something larger than ourselves. That is exactly what I felt the first time I stepped into Motherly Care Children’s Home in Ruai, on the outskirts of Nairobi. Tucked just off Kangundo Road, a kilometer from Ruai Junction near Quick Mart and Baraka Shop, the home sits close to the vibrant capital city of Kenya, yet far removed from the comforts many of us take for granted. Motherly Care Children’s Home was founded in 1998 by the late Mary Metobo, lovingly known as Mama Mary. After surviving a near-fatal train accident, she chose to dedicate her second chance at life to children who needed one of their own. What began with just ten children has grown into a refuge offering safety, education, spiritual grounding, and life skills to children who would otherwise be left behind.

Exactly a year ago, Ms. Catherine Mumbua told me that the children there were struggling and in urgent need of help. I decided to visit. What I saw stayed with me long after I left. The home has dormitories, classrooms, a dining area, and even an in-house primary school, yet resources were stretched thin. Beds lacked proper sheets and blankets. Mosquito nets were worn out. Bathrooms had no hot water. Walls needed repair and paint. Medicines and food were in short supply. What struck me most was that the facility is largely run by senior children themselves, with minimal adult support, doing their best each day to keep everything going. That visit turned into action. With financial help from Nutrifix -Atlantique Group, I went to Gikomba Market in Nairobi and bought bales of blankets, bedsheets, mosquito nets, and food supplies. When we returned to the home together, with friends and some of their family members joining in, the atmosphere shifted. Laughter replaced hesitation. Gratitude filled the space without needing words. I remain deeply thankful to Ms. Edith Ndege, Catherine Mumbua, Jessee Boro, Evah Wanjugu and her son Denis, and Kennedy with his wife for walking this journey alongside me.

One moment stands out clearly. Jessee quietly filled footballs with air and handed them to the children. The smiles that followed needed no explanation. Joy, in its purest form, does not require much.

Support came from many kind hearts. Mr. Sameer Hussein, COO of Nutrifix (https://nutrifix.co.ke/), and Atlantique Group Limited, Kenya, stepped in with generous financial support that made a tangible difference. Because of him, the children now have a music system and televisions, including a smart TV with internet access. The administrators carefully guide its use, limiting screen time and encouraging gospel and worship music, ensuring values remain at the center.

With his support, the children also experienced something many of them had never imagined. A bus tour through Nairobi city. For some, it was the first time seeing bridges, high-rise buildings, and the rhythm of city life. On the same day, they visited the Atlantique Group office, where Ms. Evah Wanjugu took them around Atlantique Park, home to multiple warehouses, opening their eyes to the scale and structure of professional operations. That same day brought another unforgettable experience to these children when Mr. Shailendra Yadav (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shailendra-yadav-99a193a/ ), CEO for Sybyl Kenya and Tanzania (https://sybyl.com/), a close friend from my ” Karura Forest Walk Group ” (https://friendsofkarura.org/) , welcomed the children to the impressive modern Sybyl office. His team offered lunch, patiently answered countless questions, and showed how a professional workplace functions. For many children, it was their first time seeing how offices operate from the inside. Shailendra is also committed to supporting older children as they prepare for employment, planting seeds of confidence where exposure had been missing.

Further improvements followed. With support from the Nutrifix-Atlantique Group, hot water showers were installed, bathrooms were repaired, and walls were painted in brighter colors. This simple change reduced mosquito problems and lifted the children’s moods. Nutrition improved as well, thanks to donors sponsoring milk, fruits, vegetables, juices, sweet potatoes, and other essentials.

Support continues to arrive in meaningful ways. My other close friend from the Karura Forest Walk Group, Dr. Jighnesh Sanghvi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jignesh-sanghavi-48165416/) , Corporate Development In-Charge, Apollo Hospitals, donated six months’ worth of medicines, toys, clothes, etc., and visited the children with his family.

Still, the needs remain real and pressing. Classrooms and benches are in poor condition. The dream of a library exists, but there is no proper space or shelving for books. Older children need guidance in soft skills, interview preparation, and career exposure. Rising education costs make sustaining progress an ongoing challenge. An annual school fee of 185 USD, or KES 24,000, covers tuition (as of now), books, uniforms, and learning materials for one child for an entire year. It may seem modest, yet it carries the power to shape a future.

Motherly Care Children’s Home is not just a facility. It is a living testament to what compassion, consistency, and community can build over time. I share this story not as an appeal born of obligation, but as an invitation rooted in experience. I have seen what kindness does here. I have seen confidence grow, curiosity awaken, and hope return.

If you feel moved to be part of this journey, you may reach out directly to the facility (https://motherlycarechildrenshome.org/ ), +254 704 460 726, +254 720 877 507, motherlycare2018@gmail.com, or contact Mr. Moffat at +254 720 877 507 on WhatsApp. Sometimes, the most lasting impact comes not from grand gestures but from choosing to stand quietly beside those who need us, and staying a little longer than expected.

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