SHOFCO

"Where I live is not pleasing to the eyes. Coming from a family of seven, and myself being the firstborn, my family members look up to me as their future helper. It has been a very difficult task in paying school fees and for uniforms up to now. I cannot afford to buy books. When I finish my education, I would like to be a neurosurgeon. Many people suffer from problems, and there are not enough qualified doctors to treat this problem. People cannot get treated in Kenya. If I become a doctor, my parents will no longer live in the slums. I will make life heaven on Earth for them. I will also use my earning to pay school fees for my younger siblings."

Lily's family does not have much money but she is determined to finish her education. When she finished school, she wants to design clothes, shoes, and jewelry. She hopes that her career will someday allow her to travel the world. Her hobbies include drama and football. Lily also wants to give back to the community. "I want to make sure that my people will not suffer as much as I have suffered."

Antony attended a free-education primary school, which provided him with a uniform and books. His family situation has been incredibly unstable because his father has been suffering from an unidentifiable mental illness and his mother is the only breadwinner of the family. Over the past years, she has been using much of her meager incomes to take his father to the hospital. Antony is a strong student and despite all his obstacles, he hopes to continue working hard in his school work.

Sawe excels in math and science and loves to learn. She is currently interested in learning computer programming. She wants to go on to university so that she can have a better life. Sawe has 3 younger sisters who were born at the same time (triplets). Since triplets were unexpected, her mother had to have a C-section and the family is still paying off the medical bills. Although she loves her sisters, her parents did not expect to have so many children and they are struggling to improve their standard of living. Her parents are both unemployed and take on various short term jobs when they can.

Loida lives with her parents and 4 siblings. Her family does not have much money, and her school fees, books, and her uniform have been paid through scholarships thus far. Loida's ultimate dream is to enroll in an aviation academy and be a successful commercial pilot. She would like to fly around the world in order to represent Kenya.

I am Tracy Nanjira from the Kibera slum. I studied at Kimathi Primary school and got 324 marks on the KCPE. I later joined Gitwe Girls School in Kiambu County in Kenya. I managed to attend this school because of the SHOFCO scholarship program. My challenges are both in school and at home but because they are part of life we have to encounter them. While at home I at times get depressed since I love being in school. Due to this pandemic time my parents do not have jobs, both of them lost their work and life has really been rough for us. Tt is hard for us to understand that our parents can no longer provide for our needs and even the little thngs at home. My younger brother does not even know what the world is today, but we thank God all of us are safe and sound.