Kenya Education Fund

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 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 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.

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.

Lavender is the only child. However, her parents support three of her cousins who are orphans. The first is Samson and he is in class 8 at Spurgeons academy, Stephen is in class 7 at Ayany primary and Moses is in class 6 also at Ayany primary. Lavender's mother works as a cook at Spurgeons primary and her father is self employed and works as a tailor. She is a confident girl. Something she has worked on for a very long time since it would her in a dream career. She would like to be a Lawyer in future so that she would be able to fight for the rights of the disadvantaged. Since she joined high school, Lavender has maintained impressive grades. She remains focused towards achieving her dream.

I am the first been in my family and I have four siblings. My follower and I sat for our class eight national examination . We scored good marks. My father is a carpenter and what he earns is not enough to take both of us to secondary school, pay rent, and educate our younger siblings in primary school. I love mathematics and I hope to pursue medicine in future. Life in Kibera has not been the most desirable but I hope to work hard in school to change this.