Stories of Hope: Dickens

Dickens was orphaned when he was only 9 years old. When a ZOE team visited his home, Dickens explained that he now understands that his parents died because of HIV/AIDS. His brothers were only 5 and 2 when their mother died.

Following the death of their parents, the children suffered the stigmatization so commonly experienced by orphans. Initially they lived in several different places. At age 15, Dickens took his brothers and returned to the empty home left by his parents. To feed his brothers, then 11 and 8, he was forced to beg and go to work. Earning less than $2 per day doing back-breaking construction work, Dickens struggled to care for his brothers.

In 2007, Dickens joined ZOE’s Giving Hope project through Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya. Receiving training in small business management, Dickens coupled his experience in construction with an income-generating grant from ZOE to buy and re-sell truckloads of rock for construction projects in the area.

Now Dickens earns enough to support his family and to diversify his business. Using proceeds from his initial venture, Dickens has purchased two cows, opened a kiosk, and started a chicken-raising project.

Like many orphans who have been touched by ZOE Ministry, Dickens has become a follower of Jesus Christ. Attributing his success in life to God, Dickens explained to the ZOE team that God never fails him when he prays.