Empowering 37 Orphans Through Education in Kenya

Peter tells his story:

I was born on 1^st November, 1995 to a single mother. I am the last born in a family of three at Ndumoni Village in Kitui County. When I was 4 years old my mother enrolled me in a nursery school and life was good. However, in the year 2002 things took a drastic turn for the worse when my mother passed away. Life became very hard for my siblings and me. We were left under the care of our elderly grandmother who was poor.

From that day forward, I was in and out of school so many times because of lack of school fees. I rarely had time to read since I needed to do manual labour to fend for myself. By God’s grace in 2007 I sat for my first KCPE examination and passed very well despite of challenges that I had faced. I got an admission letter to a secondary school but unfortunately, I did not have fees. I stayed at home for a while but no help was forthcoming so I decided to repeat class eight. (note: elementary education in Kenya is free, but tuition is required at the secondary level). Again, I scored very good grades but there were no school fees available. My destitute grandmother decided to sell the only goat she had to fund my school fees but when she went to the market, the price was not enough. Out of desperation she approached the Archdiocese of Kitui for help and was referred to Nyumbani Village. At Nyumbani Village, she requested that they admit me so that I would have a chance to acquire an education. I went through the assessment process and was admitted in 2009. I had mixed feelings because it was sad for me to leave my poor grandmother and siblings but I knew staying would spell doom for my future. My admission marked the turning point of my life because for the first time in a long time I had enough to eat, a comfortable dwelling and most importantly a scholarship for my education. I was very happy because all my burdens were lifted, giving me a chance to concentrate on my studies without having to worry where my next meal would come from.

When my admission letter came, I joined form one in Matinyani Boys, a Government Provincial school in Kitui. Life in secondary school was very easy as compared to my previous life because Nyumbani Village took care of all my bills, school fees and expenses. I concentrated on my studies and worked very hard and when I did my first exam, I was awarded a badge for being the best student in Mathematics. Within a short time, many teachers recognized me for my mathematics prowess and honored me for that. My fellow classmates were also happy with my achievement as I used to help them in Mathematics. The school noticed my potential and offered me free registration to the Mathematics Club. Throughout my four years in secondary school, I represented the school in numerous Mathematics contests. My star continued to shine and by the year 2011, I was promoted to be Library Captain. This position allowed me unlimited access to books.

When I did my form four exams, I passed very well and was admitted at Masinde Muliro Main Campus to undertake a course in Biotechnology at the University of Science and Technology. I have just completed my second year.  I owe my success to Nyumbani Village and Global Giving for their unwavering support. With Global Giving funds, I am acquiring quality education that would otherwise have been impossible. My future is very bright and I look forward to the day I am employed so that I can help my grandmother and siblings and the community at large.

I am eternally grateful to all the people of goodwill who support Global Giving in their noble work. Please be assured that my life and the lives of many children in Nyumbani have been changed. When I lost my mother, I feared that I did not have a chance to amount to anything, but because of your support, I am now confident that the future is very bright and the sky is the limit.

Like the actress, Lupita Nyongo said, “My dreams are valid and you are making them a reality!” Thank you!

Fescah was born on 16th August 1991 in Misyani location, Kitui District. She is the 6th born in a family of eight children. Her mum passed in 1997 and her father in 1999. The passing of both her parents left Fescah and her siblings in the care of her relatives. Because her relatives were not financially stable and had to provide for their own family, however, they were not able to take care of Fescah and her siblings. They were struggling to meet their basic needs, food, shelter and education, “we were really destitute, sleeping hungry some nights and I was not going to school because of lack of school fees.”

Nyumbani Village heard about these children from the area Chief and went to investigate. Fescah and two of her siblings were admitted in Nyumbani Village in 2007, and life changed for them.  At the Village, they would had food, clothing, decent accommodations and education. Fescah enrolled in Lawson Secondary school. “God had answered my prayers. I used to pray day and night for help and God heard my cry. When we came to Nyumbani Village we were very happy and I promised myself to work very hard and to make the best out of this golden opportunity.” One of her brothers is a form two student at Lawson High school and the other is at the Village Youth Polytechnic. “I kept the promise I had made to myself and performed well in my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, and I am currently pursuing a Diploma course in Human Resource Management at Machakos University College.”

“I am eternally grateful to Global Giving and Nyumbani for helping to make my dreams come true. I don’t have the words to express my gratitude. The support is tremendous. Once I finish my course I hope to get a job, sustain myself, help my siblings and also my Nyumbani Village brothers and sisters. With time I would also like to go back to school and pursue a Degree. Thank you very much and may God bless you and give you more so that you continue changing the world one child at a time. My dignity was restored and I will be a benefit to society because you helped me become somebody.”

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**With the generous support of donors and sponsors through Global Giving, Nyumbani is able to take children through both Primary and Secondary education. But lately with so many children completing their secondary education and requiring to go to college and universities, this is becoming a financial strain. Because of the help of Global Giving, we are able to give our children this opportunity, and for this we are very grateful.