Lukazz lives in Kenya, and we have become so close that he now calls me Mom. He is 19 years old and staying with guardians who were kind enough to put a roof over his head but also struggle to make it themselves. Lukazz's parents could not take care of him, and I have taken over the duty as his mother. I have been helping him and guiding him through life for almost a year now, and he has taken small steps in getting out on his own and taking care of himself. Just recently, we were able to get a bicycle for him, because he has also started school. I send him American music and youtube videos of anything and everything he is interested in, including the subjects he is studying in class. He has learned so much. His goal is to become a hair dresser/barber and work out of his own home someday.
A few months ago, I also met another young man who is a bit older than Lukazz. His name is Montana. He is 29 years old, and he lives in Guana. After getting to know him, he now calls me Aunt Kelley and so does his whole family. Montana has a wife, two young children, his brother and his sister living with him due to their parents recently passing away. All are younger than he is, and he is the head of the house trying to support them. He is a plumber and wants to go to school to get properly licensed for bigger and better jobs in his area....and someday open his own business. His wife stays home and tends to the children. The older of the two children is going to school, but in Africa it costs money for anyone to go to school...even the elementary grade level children. I help keep those bills paid, so the baby can go to school. That little girl is absolutely adorable, too. So cute.