𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐔𝐬 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞
By Dr. Muthoni Omukhango
When ‘they’ said a picture can tell a thousand stories… well, there is a photograph from the 5th ACABA Gala that has securely claimed its place among my all-time favourites. Not because of the lights, nor because of the beautiful Ankara prints that graced the room, but because of one priceless moment frozen in time.
At the centre of the picture is 12-year-old Blessings, daughter to Beatrice Saina Ongeri. She is caught in the sweetest shock of her young life—being announced as the Top Content Awardee in By Children for Children category. Her face says it all: the thrill, the wonder, the silent, “Wait—did they really say my name?” It is the raw, unfiltered innocence that adults try so hard to recreate when life has seasoned us a little too vigorously.
In addition to this awsomeness, another moment is happening behind her.
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬.
The other children are not merely clapping; they are rejoicing. Full-heartedly. Unreservedly. As though the trophy had landed in their own hands. What can children teach us? Quite a bit, it seems.
They remind us of Jesus’ simple yet profoundly liberating instruction: “Rejoice with those who rejoice…”
How uncluttered life becomes when we practise that. How light the heart feels when competitiveness gives way to communal joy. And how faithfully God keeps His word—because in His appointed time, our own turn to rejoice comes too.
In Mama Africa Book Box – MABB by CLC Kenya, we have witnessed this grace-in-motion repeatedly. Over the last two years, the Lord has enabled us to publish 17 children, with over 35 children’s books already in circulation.
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐊𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐛𝐛𝐮 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭, 𝐔𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚
And by God’s continued favour, our partnership with Chariots for Hope in Kenya and Kabbubu Development Project in Uganda means that 2026 will usher in another additional 30+ newly published children authors across the region.
These little ones are not merely writing books… they are writing futures.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧…
And then came Blessings’ own testimony—a young theologian in her own right, narrating her moment with disarming honesty:
“At first, I got so excited when I heard my name being called out. At the same time it was unbelievable that I finally got recognized and awarded. Everyone present was clapping and celebrating me. Indeed this must have been God…”
Her gratitude flowed so generously it could water a small garden:
“ I am so grateful that through a divine connection my mother got to know about CLC and she enrolled me to Mama Africa Book Box (MABB) program for Kids, a very exciting program where I learned much about reading and writing. Within just one year I graduated having written my own book, which has now moved to 10 nations… and now an award on the same book.”
Ten nations before age thirteen? Some of us are still negotiating our first nation—and even that nation is our own! God truly lifts whom He wills.
Blessings ended with a line that made all of us at CLC Kenya, MABB, and ACABA smile quietly:
“I cannot express my joy enough, but I thank God for enabling all this to be possible. I am forever grateful to CLC, Mama Africa Book Box and the ACABA program. Long live CLC.”
Ah, may the Lord grant it so—not for the sake of an organisation, but for the sake of the children, families, and nations whose destinies are being shaped through books, discipleship, and godly creativity.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐀𝐁𝐁 𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫
And in the spirit of celebrating both grace and growth, we take this opportunity to officially name Blessings as our Mama Africa Book Box (MABB) Brand Ambassador for Eldoret, kenya.
It is a role she has already been fulfilling informally—through her passion, her testimony, and the quiet influence of a young girl who believes God can use children mightily. Now, she carries that mantle with our full blessing.
We pray that her voice will inspire other children in Eldoret to read boldly, write courageously, and shine brightly for Christ.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐁𝐨𝐱 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Kenya • Uganda • South Africa • Eswatini
Let your child read, write, think, imagine, and flourish.
More information at: https://mabb.kenyaclc.org/
