I am the only child of a single mother. She works as a casual laborer and this helps in putting food on our table. Secondary education in Kenya is very expensive and this would require extra source of income which is not available at the moment. We live in the slums of Kibera. This is the largest slum in Kenya and poverty rate is very high. I work hard in school with one ultimate goal, to break the cycle of poverty. They say education is the best way and I believe in this philosophy.

I grew up in the hands of a single mother. We went through several challenges together but we have always managed. In 2014, we faced the most challenging part of the year. My mother was bedridden and I had to take care of her at the same time I had to prepare for the end year national examination. We mostly had to depend on the philanthropy of neighbors and a few relatives to survive. I have embraced this as part of life. I will not let it dim my spirit. The School Fund has extended an olive branch to me. A chance to redefine my life and come out of this mire.

I come from a family of four, my two siblings, my mother and I. My father left for the countryside after he separated from my mother. This separation left us under the care of my mother. My mother is a hardworking woman and she has inspired me a lot. I owe everything I have achieved in this young life to her. She is my biggest source of hope. I joined the football team in school and I hope to help my school achieve its highest feat. I work hard in everything I do and I go for the most challenging of experiences to gain more exposure. My philosophy in life is to always strive for the highest attainable glory.

I come from a big family. I have nine other siblings. We are all taken care of by my father who at this point is not working/unemployed. My older siblings have attended/still attend not-very-good schools. I was to follow suit until The School Fund came to my rescue. This is a "first" in my family. This is a common situation in Kibera. I am among the lucky few from financially disadvantaged families to get support from well-wishers.

I am the last born of six children. We used to do well some time back. This suddenly changed when my mother and older sister lost their jobs, thanks to a sudden sickness that struck both of them at the same time. It was so harsh. My older brother was left with a huge burden of taking care of us. Given his level of education, he is not able to secure meaningful employment. Things have been rough since. One of the major concerns for me is my education. It is one the things I hold so dearly. I want the best for my family and this can only come with someone effecting a change and I believe that person might as well be me. The opportunity to join high school is a big step towards making this dream a reality.

I grew up seeing my father work on our small farm to provide for our family. He would also engage in other jobs to supplement this. However, things took a drastic turn when he fell ill and succumbed a few weeks later. This meant that my mother was now the breadwinner of the house, something that affected the family's income. Over the years, she has struggled to ensure that she gives us her best. My mother is a strong woman which makes me her greatest admirer. The much she has done for us is aimed towards securing us a better future. We bank our hopes on our education.

I was brought up in a single-parent family, headed by mom. I do not remember my father since he died when I was still very young. My mother works as a casual laborer in a neighboring tea plantation. She also has a part-time business to supplement her meagre earnings from the tea plucking. She brews local liquor, something which always puts her in trouble with the local administration. I admire her zeal though. I have the dreams of being a successful doctor. This gives me the drive to face each day positively, full of optimism of a better future.

My parents died when we were so young. My aunt took us in and she has been taking care of us since. She has a big family, plus she is a single mother. Her fish business can only cater for our meals. We have always depended on well-wishers for our education. I would want to improve the life of my family, especially my aunt's. She has done to us what no other person was willing to do. I am proud of her. The School Fund in partnership with Kenya Education Fund have given me a chance to reciprocate this kind gesture.

I am the second born of five children. We live with our parents, my father and mother. It is a happy family and our parents do everything they can to keep us going. We all depend on my father's meager income and sometimes it becomes difficult to support my older sister in school. I have great ambitions of making it in life and I believe I can achieve my greatest goals with a good education. I have always committed to see this pass and the TSF support is the right platform for me and am grateful.