A Mother-and-Son Story (continued)
Onyango's father passed away two months before Onyango was in his accident. His mother left their village and her children to look for ways to provide food for her family. On the day of accident, Onyango, like many 12 year old village kids here, was on his way to the lakeshore to collect the small fish left behind by the fishermen, to feed his younger siblings. He was catching a ride on the back of a fishing trolley, far from his village, when the accident happened. As the truck picked up speed, Onyango panicked and jumped - crashing to the ground - battered and bloody and losing consciousness. He was brought to the clinic, got cleaned up, and grew stronger, but he awoke with amnesia, so he couldn't help us locate his family. And nobody came to claim him. They couldn't; they didn't know where to find him.
Onyango stayed at the clinic for more than two months before his mother found him. She had no idea where he had been. By the time she arrived he had healed, so his mother collected him and brought him home. And here's the beautiful thing: Onyango now calls Mama Maria his second home. He passes by whenever he's on a fish-collecting trip. He comes inside our gates and stops by with his other buddies and helps out with chores. He's healthy and strong, giggling and playful - and thrilled to be a part of our family . . . as we are to have him!