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.
School Year 2017
Class Rank 64 out of 250 Vumilia is a thirteen year old girl. She lost her father in 2007 and her mother has just passed away [in 2013]. At present Vumilia stays with her aunt together with her five siblings. Her sister completed primary school [standard seven] and she could not further her studies because their guardians could not afford to cater for their school fees. Vumilia's aunt and uncle are small scale peasants which implies that their income cannot fully cover for her school fees. Her ambition is to be a doctor. She declares that "Education is the major means for her to realize her dreams".
School Year 2015
John is sixth born of seven children. John lives in a polygamous family causing his father to neglect his family. His mother strives to make ends meet. They live in a single rent house in Maai-Mahiu.
School Year 2014
School Year 2013
John is sixth born of seven children. John lives in a polygamous family causing his father to neglect his family. His mother strives to make ends meet. They live in a single rent house in Maai-Mahiu.
School Year 2012
Born in 1994 in Yathui, Japheth is the last born child in a family of two. His mother is a single parent and earns a living through casual jobs like sanding woodcarvings to support her children. The family live in a rented house in the Yathui market. Through his mother's meager earnings, they struggle to meet their basic needs. During weekends and holidays, Japeth helps his mother in her work. His academic performance is outstanding. He is also a well behaved student. For Japheth, education is a tool to overcome the challenges of the world and he hopes to get a good education to support his family and serve the community.
School Year 2012
Julieth was born in 1994 and comes from Iringa. She is passionate about becoming an accountant. Math and bookkeeping are her favorite subjects because she believes that these courses will best prepare her for her desired occupation. Described as a "happy" person by her best friend, Dainesi, Julieth is a highly energetic and spirited girl who loves going to school and enjoys the challenges that education gives her. Besides enabling her to live a good life, Julieth believes good education leads to a better economy, fixes unemployment and reduces HIV spread by getting rid of ignorance. Although Julieth's mother, who is one of her role models, strongly values education, Julieth is the only child out of her four siblings to go to school due to her family's inability to pay school fees. Julieth walks 30 minutes to get to Lugalo everyday.
School Year 2011
School Year 2010
School Year 2010