mail call

It’s a great day when my mail carrier delivers a package of letters from St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood. The one that arrived this week was ripped and torn and had been stuffed inside a plastic bag somewhere along the way. It was a mess, and it had taken a long time to get to me, but was I ever happy it made it! Reading the letters evoked a range of emotions, mostly just really good feelings. I’d like to share excerpts from four of them. These are written by children who will be featured in my book, Kutuuka, either as part of the Dream Series or with a drawing they made. Nicky and Isabella are brother and sister, both very good artists. These photos of the children were taken in 2006, 2007 and 2008. See how they’ve grown and changed!


To my special Mama Gloria, the pearl of St. Mary Kevin,

This is to thank you for all the great things you have done in my life. I am really being a good boy and reading hard to pass my exams. The drawing materials you brought are still here and we are not wasting any. I am having another sister here with me now. She’s called Petra. She’s third born in our family and she’s in Primary 1. She’s talented in drawing too. Greet for me all the Change the Truth organization.

From your faithful son, Nicky (age 12)








Dear Mama Gloria,

Let me hope everybody if fine at home. It was really fun to have you at our home, Mama. Thank you for our mattresses, blankets and bedsheets. They really changed our standard of living. Thank you very much for my school fees. Mama, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be in school. Send greetings to all the friends of Change the Truth.

I remain yours, Joseph (age 14)






Dear Mamy Gloria,

How are you these days? Thank you for all the things you have done for us. I am happy that you sent me a letter. I am requesting you to thank for me all the friends we are having. Thank you for the band which you have brought for us. We are training some of them and some of them are perfect and some of them are becoming good. Thank you for all the things which you have done for us like mattresses, band, friends, food, clothes and nets, etc. May God bless you.

Thank you, bye bye. I am your son, Tony. (age 11)








Dear Gloria,

It was so wonderful to see you at St. Mary Kevin in December. Thank you for the love you have shown us. And I want to thank all the Change the Truth team for their kindness. Thank you for teaching us how to use watercolours. You are a good teacher.

I miss you. Love to you from Isabella (age 11)