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Last week was deeply significant for me and my husband, as well as for Restore Humanity. The first kid that we ever helped in Kenya, Moses Vincent Agare, boarded a plane from Arkansas and moved to New York City. Yes, you read that correctly, Moses is now a resident in the Big Apple. He was one of the first people I met in Kenya on my first trip in 2007. He was the first and only kid we helped during the years we were building our JCO Children’s Home. In 2008 we paid for his Secondary School fees making him the first student in our Outreach Program. In 2013 he became our first RH Scholar and moved to Arkansas to study Civil Engineering at the UofA. This past May he graduated with this bachelor’s degree and just last week he took a Civil Engineering job in New York City.
As we stood there in the lobby of XNA, all in tears, it occurred to me that this was a day that I never thought of and wasn’t prepared for. I have spent all of this time with my head down working to ensure that we get them through school and prepare them for life—basically working to make this day happen, but still, it never occurred to me how I would feel once it came. How could I feel so proud of him and terrified for him at the same time? I just wanted some assurance that he is going to be ok. But that’s not how life is for anyone, as much as we want it to be. I know he is both capable and prepared for this. And yet, I still want to protect him and be with him to make sure he is ok. But I cannot be there—it is time for him to spread his wings. I imagine this is something which parents feel all of the time. It is both wonderful and terrifying to love someone like this and be responsible for their well being. You work so hard to prepare them so that they can stand on their own and yet you don’t want to let them go.
Moses applied for jobs all over the country but when this opportunity came in New York City, he was especially excited. Despite initially not knowing anyone in the city or where he would live or even who would pick him up at the airport he found a way to make it happen. Through an awesome Kenyan network of people who are helping him to start a new life, he was able to answer all these questions so he just went for it! It is a really big move, but if you know anything about our Moses, that is pretty much the only way he rolls.
Many of you probably saw his departure on social media, but just in case you didn’t—I wanted to update our entire Restore Humanity family on his success. Moses has made it so far and still has so much more to do on his journey. Thank you to each and every person who has made his amazing journey possible.
And don’t worry, this isn’t the end of the story. We talk to him almost every day, so we will keep you updated on all of the amazing things he will do in this next phase of his life.
Moses & I in 2008 in Kenya
Moses & I in May 2019 at his University of Arkansas Graduation Ceremony
Me, Moses, and my husband Boo all teared up at the XNA Airport last week
Moses just being Moses