Green Education Center for Kenyan Street Children

Friends, from time to time we will share with you the life stories of some of our students. We do this so that you can better understand the backgrounds of the students that your donations go to support. Rosalia's story will be the first in this series. For more updates about Jitgemee please follow us on Twitter, and 'like" us on Facebook.

Rosalia's Life Story

 My family started having problems when I was three years old. My father was sick and he couldn’t go to work so we had many needs. He passed away when I was in Grade 5. My mother used to work as a house help trying to get money so that we could have food, she managed to keep me in school until I completed primary school and did my final year exams.

When we got the results, I had done okay, but my mother did not have the money to send me to secondary school. I got angry when she said that, and I decided to run away from home. I decided to go to Machakos to see what people do there.

I met a group of girls who told me how they live on the street, we used to eat from the dustbins, from the waste food thrown out by people. I thought it was a good life. One day I came across a man and asked him to give me money to buy food. He told me I would have to sleep with him in exchange for the money. I agreed.  That is how I started buying drugs. I would buy Khat, marijuana, cigarettes, and others.

 One day while walking around the streets I came across some very smart looking girls. I asked them how come they were so smart.  They told me that they were in school, and asked me if I would like to return to school. I said I would love to return to school.  They said their school was called Jitegemee, and that it was a very nice school. They gave me the directions on how to get there.

I went to Jitegemee and found very welcoming teachers. I told them my problems. I was very happy when they allowed me to join Jitegemee. I don’t know where I would be if it was not for this school.