We want you to meet a very special friend of ours, Hanzi.
Hanzi Minzi
We first meet Hanzi on a medical missions trip in 2011 held on the school grounds of Crossroads Academy, Vipingo. He was walking past the school and entered to see what all the commotion was about.
Making faces as picture is being taken
It was an instant relationship with Hanzi and the teachers and medical team professionals at CA. He gives great big hugs and is always trying to make us laugh with funny faces.
Hanzi has Down Syndorme and had not previously been brought to school but he was instantly fascinated with the classrooms and teachers at the school.
The next day he returned and they found him actually sitting inside of the classrooms by himself. He refused to leave!
Finally got him to smile
Hanzi was placed in one of the Kindergarden classrooms for the next few years where we could make sure he was a part of the feeding program but also that he could participate and start to learn slowly by slowly!
Hanzi was greatly cared for by the teachers and grew not only in how to care for himself more properly – but also learning bits and pieces from the classroom with his friends.
Jenna and Hanzi at his new school
Hanzi received an awesome opportunity through a school only 30 min away that teaches vocational skills to those with special needs and we were quite sad to be away from him but knew that this was likely to be an opportunity that we as a school couldn’t provide for him and one he shouldn’t pass up.
Pastor John Okong’o
Our Chaplin, Pastor John, checks in on him many times during the term to make sure he is doing alright and more so that Hanzi knows we are thinking about him.
Sharing lunch during The music festivals at His school.
It is our hope that Hanzi is a part of Crossroads as long as possible. Look at this smile!
My time with him at his new school was a great moment!