SHOFCO

I live in the Kibera slums in a village known as Kisumu Ndogo. I have two siblings and live with both parents. My favorite subjects are science, social studies, and Kiswahili because they are entertaining and give you the history of where we’ve come from as a country and as human beings. I love swimming, sports and reading story books which wholesomely engage me and keep me fit. I am aspiring to be a nurse so I can contribute positively towards people in my country by attending to them when they are ill.

"Since 2001, when I lost my mother, and 2004, when I lost my father, I have been staying with my Grandparents. Even after finishing standard 8 I have been staying with my grandparents. I hope through your support to be able to finish school and to work hard and become a successful person in the future. In the future, I would like to be a nurse, a teacher, or an engineer. In fact, in the future after my successes in 10 years to come, I would like to support orphans. I understand what it is like to be an orphan. Through my difficulties that have been undergoing I am hopeful that I will succeed."

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 was born in a family of four and I am the last born. I have lived with my mother's sister since I was 3 and she is known as my mother. I would like to be a pilot and in 10 years I see myself still pursuing my dreams. After school I hope to get a job and change the life of my family and proceed to change the living standards of my community. This is so every child can get the opportunity to go to school.

"Despite the fact that I have completed primary school, my aunt has struggled to pay for my school fees. She knows that education is the key to success and I have respected her throughout my life. She found a good boarding school and I started there in Class 2. She manages to cater for my needs. My former school managed to also paid for my school fees since Class 2 and may God bless both of their kindness. I wish to become a chemical engineer and a prominent farmer. I wish to adhere to my dream and be prosperous in my talent in football and basketball. "

Mary's mother cooks chapati every day at 6 AM to sell. Sometimes she does not make enough money from selling the chapati and has to also wash clothes. Her mother was able to scrape together enough money for her to finish primary school, but she has always been unable to afford textbooks. Mary's father is jobless. Despite these struggles, Mary dreams of being an accountant one day. It is only through outside financial help that she will be able to finish secondary school and achieve her ambitions.