Machakos nun takes in discarded people no one wants

Ailing and disabled children touch hearts. They're sweet. But what of the disabled and mentally challenged adults abandoned by their families?

Not so endearing but in need of love and care. 

Sister Mary Musembi in Kithoko, Machakos county, takes them all in.

Most of the 25 people in her shelter are helpless and disabled adults. About 70 per cent are bedridden and cannot take care of themselves.

Some were born with congenital malformations, including cognitive impairment, some have lost their memories and suffered brain damage after accidents. Some have cerebral palsy.

Some were deserted in hospitals.

The oldest is aged 95, the youngest is three.

Sister Mary, a Catholic nun, started her home for the vulnerable in 2018 and word of her good deeds has spread.

A group of philanthropic youths from Nairobi, known as the Great Hearts Foundation, heard about Sister Mary and decided to help.

On Sunday, they toured her shelter at Kaonyweni in Kithyoko, Masinga subcounty, and donated food.

They also washed clothes and bedding, scrubbed floors, helped with hygiene and promised to do more.

Sister Mary thanked them for their good hearts.

Dorcas Mwongela, the founder of the Nairobi group, said she came to know Sister Mary after she helped one of her friends, who had been stranded in hospital.

Mwongela promised to help with her good works. She urged people who can help to assist the nun.

Msanii Joseph, a member of the group, said seeing all those 'discarded' people touched him deeply and he pledged to assist the home in its mission.

A week ago, Sister Mary rescued a three-year-old girl who has been sick for more than a year with severe abdominal swelling. But her single mother couldn't take her to hospital as she couldn't afford it.

Further, the biological father was superstitious and objected to any medical treatment. He threatened severe consequences if the girl were taken to hospital.

A well-wisher informed Sister Mary the little girl needed help and she visited the child.

Then she reported the case to the local administration. The girl was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where she is being treated.

The girl's single mother, 20, had sought medication and treatment in vain as she had no money.

Masinga assistant subcounty commissioner Veronica Musyoka thanked Sister Mary for alerting authorities.

She urged people to always report cases of children or adults who are ailing, neglected or abandoned by the family who should care for them.

Musyoka urged the community to reject crude cultural beliefs that can lead to harm or death, such as believing natural sicknesses are caused by witchcraft.

Sister Mary attended her religious studies in Spain  and returned to Kenya after serving as a sister in Spain for 17 years.

She started the Mercy Servants of the Poor Foundation where she visited people in their homes and cared for them. They were neglected due to birth deformities or injuries suffered in road accidents.

Then she was assisted by well-wishers to buy land to put up buildings for the neediest cases. 

Their relatives cannot be traced and probably do not want to be found. 

(Edited by V. Graham)

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