Sharon & Me
February 2020
Jan was kind enough to share this touching story with us:
I visited Kenya first in 2009 when I met a happy, giggly but shy little 3 year old called Sharon; she came to play with me every time we went to Noah’s Ark and, upon finding out she had no sponsor, I was pleased to take on the role.
I was delighted to receive school reports and photographs and to hear about her progress and I met her twice more, in 2012 and 2014, each time with her nephew Eugine (who I also sponsor) and her mother Mary. From that first meeting, Mary and I formed a close bond and I loved seeing Sharon, a beautiful, happy girl.
before we flew out to Kenya we heard the tragic news that Sharon had developed cerebral malaria and died suddenly
Last September, my sister Sue (a trustee for the Nasio Trust) and I visited Musanda and Mumias to work on the school reports and photographs; I was so excited to be meeting up with ‘my’ family again. However, before we flew out to Kenya we heard the tragic news that Sharon had developed cerebral malaria and died suddenly. Our visit to Mary’s home and Sharon’s grave was very tough, but I was comforted to have been able to console Mary and reassure her I would still be there for her and Eugine.
Sponsoring my children and visiting Kenya to see first-hand the work of the Nasio Trust has been so rewarding; it is a humbling but uplifting experience knowing that you have been able to make a positive difference in the lives of those who have so little. Also, I feel so privileged to have been part of Sharon’s life; indeed, to help the Nasio Trust in their mission to ‘change lives for good’.
Jan
In Memory of Sharon Malala
14/12/2005 – 17/06/2019
This story is listed in: Child Stories
