Sharing the Love and Spreading Valentine’s Day Smiles

Children at the MTRH Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital received Valentine's Day treats that put smiles on their faces and new Swahili books in their hands. The Sally Test Child Life team and long-time AMPATH partners Dale and John Lawrence, Betsy and Tal Bosin and Sarah Ellen Mamlin spent Valentine's Day with the children to spread the cheer. They distributed love, packaged in small and mindful gift bags with colouring books, crayons, pencils, lollipops and a card.

Dale Lawrence spearheaded this Valentine's Day giving and said it is always fulfilling to see the beautiful smiles painted on the young children’s faces. “I started bringing over these gifts for the children at the Shoe4Africa Hospital and other homes and shelters around Eldoret seven years ago. Then I would have only 28 bags. This Valentine’s Day we handed out 128 bags. These seven years have been really fulfilling seeing the excitement and joy these hampers with gifts give the children,” she added.

The children also received 124 books written in Swahili to update the Stephanie Brater Library which was previously only equipped with English books. “Reading to children at a young age is so important. We wanted to provide new books written in Swahili for children in the hospital when we learned that parents often do not read English or prefer reading in Swahili,” said Stephanie Brater who donated the new books. “We hope these books will encourage reading and bring adventures to life for children and their families.”

“We express our gratitude to everyone who made Valentine’s Day special for the children at Shoe4Africa Children’s Hospital. The kind and thoughtful gesture excited the children and lifted their spirits,” said Elizabeth Kabuthi the specialist in charge of the Sally Test Child Life Program.