ADVERTISER CHRISTMAS FUND
Young family with 8 children needs beds
By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
"B.K." and "G.K." are a young couple who took on a huge challenge in September 2000 when their prayers were answered.
Two years ago, their family grew by four when B.K. was awarded legal guardianship of her aunt's children, ranging in age from 5 to 12. "We prayed over it and decided not to split them up," B.K. said. "We wanted them to stay together in a permanent home."
They have four children of their own, ages 6, 5, 3 and 2 months.
B.K., 23, knows first-hand what it's like to be a ward of the state. She, her brother and sister were placed in separate foster homes when B.K. was 5 years old.
• Our anonymous Santa will match the first $25 of all contributions. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has pledged to match and double cash donations. • Donations also may be dropped off at any First Hawaiian Bank branch. Anyone wishing to donate goods instead of money can do so at the Community Clearinghouse at 2100 N. Nimitz Highway, near Pu'uhale Road. For details, call 536-7234.
"Our parents couldn't take care of us," she said. "For a while, we were left all over the place with relatives and friends. When we split up and went to foster homes; we rarely saw each other.
• Checks made payable to The Advertiser Christmas Fund should be mailed to Helping Hands Hawai'i, P.O. Box 17328, Honolulu, HI 96817.
"When I was 10, my auntie took us all in and kept us together," B.K. added. "My mother was a druggie then. We stayed with my aunt for a couple of years until my mom stopped using drugs."
Today, B.K. and G.K. live with eight children in a rented six-bedroom house. G.K., 25, works as a security guard while his wife, a former cook, manages the home front.
With state assistance, food stamps and good money management, the family gets by each month.
However, there's still a need for beds. Some family members are sleeping on the floor. Two futon mattresses and a couple of additional beds would be greatly appreciated, B.K. said.
