--- title: Former Mathare Street Boy Inspires MOHI Students description: Former Mathare Street Boy Inspires MOHI Students image: https://mohiafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/thumbresize.asp-17-860x286.jpeg --- [For sponsors](https://mohiafrica.org/sponsor-resources/) [For partners](https://mohiafrica.org/partner-resources) [Login/Logout](https://give.mohiafrica.org/login) [My account](https://give.mohiafrica.org/account) [Cart](https://give.mohiafrica.org/shoppingcart) [![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MOHI_March2023%20Theme/images/mohi-logo.svg) ![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MOHI_March2023%20Theme/images/mohi-footer-logo.svg)](https://mohiafrica.org/) - Sponsor a child - [Search for a Child](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor-a-child) - [Why Sponsor a Child?](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor) - [Sponsor Resources](https://mohiafrica.org/sponsor-resources) - Ways to give - [Meet Critical Needs](https://give.mohiafrica.org/criticalneeds) - [Support a Project](https://give.mohiafrica.org/category/projects) - [Send a Gift](http://mohiafrica.org/send-a-message-or-gift) - [Other Ways to Give](http://mohiafrica.org/other-ways-to-give) - [Financial Integrity](http://mohiafrica.org/financial-integrity) - Get involved - [Donate](https://give.mohiafrica.org) - [Sponsor a Child](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor-a-child) - [Get the Mobile App](https://mohiafrica.org/mobile-app) - [Mission Trips](http://mohiafrica.org/mission-trips) - [Vision Trips](https://mohiafrica.org/vision-trips) - [Become a Partner](http://mohiafrica.org/partner) - About - [Overview](http://mohiafrica.org/about) - [Who We Are](http://mohiafrica.org/who-we-are) - [What We Do](http://mohiafrica.org/what-we-do) - [Where We Serve](http://mohiafrica.org/where-we-serve) - [FAQs](https://mohiafrica.org/knowledge-base/) - [Blog](https://blog.mohiafrica.org) - [Give now](https://give.mohiafrica.org) - Sponsor a child - [Search for a Child](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor-a-child) - [Why Sponsor a Child?](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor) - [Sponsor Resources](https://mohiafrica.org/sponsor-resources) - Ways to give - [Meet Critical Needs](https://give.mohiafrica.org/criticalneeds) - [Support a Project](https://give.mohiafrica.org/category/projects) - [Send a Gift](http://mohiafrica.org/send-a-message-or-gift) - [Other Ways to Give](http://mohiafrica.org/other-ways-to-give) - [Financial Integrity](http://mohiafrica.org/financial-integrity) - Get involved - [Donate](https://give.mohiafrica.org) - [Sponsor a Child](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor-a-child) - [Get the Mobile App](https://mohiafrica.org/mobile-app) - [Mission Trips](http://mohiafrica.org/mission-trips) - [Vision Trips](https://mohiafrica.org/vision-trips) - [Become a Partner](http://mohiafrica.org/partner) - About - [Overview](http://mohiafrica.org/about) - [Who We Are](http://mohiafrica.org/who-we-are) - [What We Do](http://mohiafrica.org/what-we-do) - [Where We Serve](http://mohiafrica.org/where-we-serve) - [FAQs](https://mohiafrica.org/knowledge-base/) - [Blog](https://blog.mohiafrica.org) - [Give now](https://give.mohiafrica.org) [For sponsors](https://mohiafrica.org/sponsor-resources/) [For partners](https://mohiafrica.org/partner-resources) [Login/Logout](https://give.mohiafrica.org/login) [My account](https://give.mohiafrica.org/account) [Cart](https://give.mohiafrica.org/shoppingcart) ![Former Mathare Street Boy Inspires MOHI Students](https://mohiafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/thumbresize.asp-17-860x286.jpeg) # Former Mathare Street Boy Inspires MOHI Students By MOHI on Feb 23, 2015 9:16:00 AM ![thumbresize.asp-17-860x286](https://mohiafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/thumbresize.asp-17-860x286.jpeg) Twenty-three years ago, a former street boy from Mathare, Emilio Kiai Njoroge, first introduced Mary Kamau, Executive Director of Missions of Hope International (MOHI), to Mathare Valley. Just last week, Emilio returned to Mathare to encourage and motivate our students and staff at several different MOHI centers. Emilio grew up in Mathare Valley.  Due to an abusive father, Emilio ran away from home at only nine years old and began living on the streets. For the next seven years, he begged and stole just to survive. [![Sponsor a Child. Change a Life.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4458293/interactive-128020180770.png)](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIlzG%2ByMApqkZMtQOkc%2BxgIPVWT7ieE%2BQAbd5q42glT7Jg8iZouDhizoXk%2B4cC6sEwazAnLpBsIeNcfmVdoogZlDsI%2BFqSUU1%2Bp8gm3yUteLgmrh6K7qwfWSQ8h1qXG6c8r2jrJg9bIvfnJBhJnwRJyWVJiTB3sXF1Nxs0xxKyRJMcTOQ1KsjDhwwozKo8GbQ8A71yw8F6qN3LOEUnPrGw%3D&webInteractiveContentId=128020180770&portalId=4458293) As a teenager, after returning to his childhood home in Mathare, Emilio moved to the country with some relatives. His life became even more difficult in his new surroundings, and he had lost all hope of a better life. Through God’s grace, he ended up at a local church, where he heard the Gospel and was mentored by an usher and the pastor of the church.  Emilio dedicated His life to Christ and soon became involved in the church, leading worship. In 1992, Emilio met Mrs. Kamau, then a college student, at his church and shared with her about his childhood in Mathare Valley. As they became friends, Emilio took Mrs. Kamau to Mathare to see his former home.  That was her first visit to Mathare.  Mrs. Kamau’s experience there changed the trajectory of her life, as well as the lives of tens of thousands of children from Mathare with the eventual founding of MOHI. ![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/emiliopangani-300x179.jpg?width=300&name=emiliopangani-300x179.jpg)Emilio, who now lives in America with his wife and daughter, has returned to Mathare several times in the past 10 years. He ministers to youth that are much like he once was—searching for hope and dreaming of a better future. Emilio encouraged MOHI’s students to never give up on their dreams, to work hard and stay in school, and to put their trust in Christ. As a mentor who was once in their shoes, Emilio's story is certainly inspirational to our students, and we are thankful for his ministry with us! Share on Social [Back to all posts](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/) [Go to next blog post](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/empowering-mathare-families-to-prevent-fires) ### Comments #### Sign up to get updates sent directly to your inbox. [![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MOHI_March2023%20Theme/images/mohi-footer-logo.svg)](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/mohi-v2-blog-new) Missions of Hope International is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 85-3384718. All donations in the United States are tax deductible in full or part. [Disclosure](http://mohiafrica.org/disclosure-statement) [Terms of Service](http://mohiafrica.org/terms-of-service) [Privacy Policy](http://mohiafrica.org/privacy-policy) GIVE [Donate](https://give.mohiafrica.org) [Sponsor a Child](http://give.mohiafrica.org/sponsor-a-child) [Other Ways to Give](http://mohiafrica.org/other-ways-to-give) GET INVOLVED [Mission Trips](http://mohiafrica.org/mission-trips) [Vision Trips](http://mohiafrica.org/vision-trips) [Become a Partner](http://mohiafrica.org/partner) About [Who We Are](http://mohiafrica.org/who-we-are) [What We Do](http://mohiafrica.org/what-we-do) [Where We Serve](http://mohiafrica.org/where-we-serve) RESOURCES [Sponsor Resources](https://mohiafrica.org/sponsor-resources) [Partner Resources](https://mohiafrica.org/partner-resources) [Forms for Students](https://mohiafrica.org/forms-for-students) [MOBILE APP](https://mohiafrica.org/mobile-app) [BLOG](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/) [SUPPORT](https://mohiafrica.org/knowledge-base/) [CAREERS](https://mohiafrica.org/careers) [CONTACT](https://mohiafrica.org/contact) STAY CONNECTED Keep in touch with regular updates. [![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MOHI_March2023%20Theme/images/googleplay.png)](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mohiafrica.mohi) [![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MOHI_March2023%20Theme/images/applestore.png)](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mohi/id1513903227) We are proud to be reviewed and held accountable by these independent third-party organizations: ![](https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/raw_assets/public/MOHI_March2023%20Theme/images/Guidestar%20Logo.png) © 2026 Missions of Hope International. All Rights Reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "MOHI", "url" : "https://blog.mohiafrica.org/author/mohi" }, "dateModified" : "2023-08-22T03:36:02.099Z", "datePublished" : "2015-02-23T17:16:00.000Z", "headline" : "Former Mathare Street Boy Inspires MOHI Students", "image" : [ "https://mohiafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/thumbresize.asp-17-860x286.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.mohiafrica.org/former-mathare-street-boy-inspires-mohi-students", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.mohiafrica.org/hubfs/social-suggested-images/mohiafrica.orgwp-contentuploads202011MOHI-Header-Logo-StackedPrimaryWhite2.png" }, "name" : "Missions of Hope International" } } ```