In Nairobi, Pastor Mary is bringing hope and life as she opens up her church to the community and offers a welcome to children who have been living on the street.

Pastor Mary and the team at Maisha Poa seek to rescue, rehabilitate and reintegrate these children by providing counselling, educational sponsorship, vocational and skills training, literacy programmes, and practical support such as food, washing and laundry facilities, and accommodation. The "Picture Me" resource created by Lifewords Pavement Project initiative has played a significant role in supporting Mary and the team at Maisha Poa in counselling children.

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Jonathan is one of the children that Maisha Poa has helped. He shares his story: "I was a thief. I was a street kid and I used to fend for myself from the dumpsites. I used to sleep in makeshift shacks. At night, the police would beat us and tell us to go home, but they never used to understand our challenge of not having a home."

"My life has changed since I came to Maisha Poa. It has given me an education, it has given me motivation. Ever since I came here, I’ve changed. I don’t do all the bad things I used to do. Pavement Project teaches stories about God and once you know about God everything is possible. I’m now changed, and I love Jesus."

The practical help and welcome provided by the team at Maisha Poa is founded in the Bible’s values of love, forgiveness, and restoration. Young people are discovering new perspectives and new ways to live. Jonathan continues:

I felt welcomed here, because the very first time I came here, they prayed for me, then taught me using stories from the Pavement Project green bag.

Jonathan is now the one who offers help to children living on the street, as he encourages his friends from his old life to come to Maisha Poa: “I tell them God loves them."

Wilcliffe responded to Jonathon’s invitation and started attending church too. He shared:

Pastor Mary showed me a card from the Picture Me resource that had a picture of a child carried in Jesus’ arms. She then told me that even if I go astray, Jesus still loves me, and he’ll still take me back.

Pavement Project is helping these children know that they are accepted by God, and that they are invited into God’s kingdom. Pastor Mary and the team at Maisha Poa continue to bring life to their community through counselling, practical support and pastoral care.