My name is David Oduor Ogolla. I come from a very humble background in Kibera slum. My father is a juakali artisan (black smith) while my mother is a house wife. Both of their incomes aren't enough to support all the family requirements; but so far we have managed to remain a happy and focused family. Despite all the challenges in my family, I never lost concentration on my primary level academics at Olympic Primary School. Through my hard work I managed to score 359/500 marks, although I was aiming higher than that. With the good marks, I had no hopes to join any high school, not even the local ones in the slums because my parents were now concentrating on ensuring that my younger siblings are also educated through primary level. I put much concentration in my favorite sport (football) as I believed it would get me somewhere with no hopes of joining a high school. But a God sent scholarship opportunity came through Shining Hope for Communities at the right time and gave me a life time opportunity to attend secondary education at Orero High School. A big thank you to Shining Hope for Communities and all the cheerful givers. Through your effort my life and others' are going to change positively.

Rachael's father is poor and their livelihood is derived from a small farm. She has one brother, and three sisters. The elder sister is in Form three studying through a bursary and the rest of her siblings are all in primary school where they are catered for by her parents. In primary school, Rachael was often out of school because her family was often unable to riase money for her school fees. Her life has changed from a life filled with uncertainties about the future to one brimming with hope for a good future for her and her family. She intends to study as hard that as she can so that one day help a student as needy as she is to realize their dream. "I thank Wema very much for giving me the chance to join this school and I will work very hard to achieve my dreams" -Rachel.

"I was born into a family of six, whereby I am the fourth child. I have been staying with my uncle to get help in my schooling. In my family, only one brother managed to finish Form 4 because of the school fees. I want to achieve good results in Form 4 and then proceed to university and graduate as an engineer. I want to work in order to help needy children get educated and achieve their dreams and together we will help our society. I would like to be a role model to the young generation of my time and be the one to help others in situations just like mine. I would also like to preach to younger generations to work hard in school and be a dream maker in the society. "

Clinton is an orphan, whose parents passed away when he was a small child. Since then, he has been raised by his aunt. She has been his primary guardian and she has made sure to pay his school fees. Clinton aspires to become an engineer. His dream project, however, is to start an organization that serves street children and orphans.

Nelson is the last born child in a family of 10 children; two brothers and 7 sisters. His parents are peasant farmers with no means of supporting a big family and most important providing education. All his elder siblings were not able to get a good education. In 2015 Nelson sat for his KCPE exam and scored 361 marks and was the second top student at his school. Nelson wants to follow a different path from his elder siblings and make a career in his life. He believes that education is the key to success and he hopes to gain secondary education and study hard to become a mechanical engineer in the future.

Phanie's father died when she was ten years old due to brain cancer. Her mum runs a thrift shop where she sells second hand clothes. Her sisters works as a waiter in a hotel and uses whatever she earns to pay her own fees at the college where she is taking a degree in education. Her younger brother is in primary school. When Phanice was in primary school, she spent a lot of time out of school waiting for her parents to find some money to pay for her exam fees. Her life has changed now that she has been provided with enough books to read and also no longer misses class. "I thank Wema very much for the great impact they have had on my life and also the great teachers at this place and I am confident i will achieve an A after my four years here." -Phanice.

"I and my other two brothers live with our mother, who has been single for many years. My mother has always encouraged me to be of good faith despite so many challenges in our family. My head teacher has picked me from nothing and helped me manage my primary education and I hope to also touch another person with a good heart to help me go to secondary school in order to achieve my dreams. After Form 4, I aim to get an A grade on my exams that will enable me to join university. In university I would like to study well for me to become a journalist. The reason why I would like to be a journalist is that I will have an opportunity to know what is happening in daily life, especially where people undergo hardship (i.e. poverty, lack of water, children without going to school, orphans). I will be able to bring these issues to the media and good citizens will be able to see, read, and visit such people. I also have a vision to start a project that will be generating money to help all the needy children like me. "

Carolyne is the third born child in a family of six. Two of her sisters have been sick since childhood they have never been enrolled in school due to their health conditions. Carolyne's father is a casual laborer while the mother stays at home to take care of the sick children. The medical treatment of the children has depleted all the family resources and they have to depend on the mercy of well-wishers. Carolyne has faced many challenges. Many times she slept hungry without food but was always looking forward to being in school as there was a free lunch served (thanks to the school feeding program supported by a charity organization). Carolyne was determined and worked hard and excelled. Carolyne wants to be a doctor in future to treat people whom suffering (just like her two sisters) and improve the health of the people in Kenya.

Brian comes from a family of four – he has an older sister and two younger brothers. When he was young, Brian attended a private school but was unable to continue there because his family did not have enough money to pay the school fees. His mother does not earn an income, and his father works as a casual mason. Brian hopes to become a doctor and to work in a large hospital. His dream is to one day build and run his own hospital.