By Martha Sunda | Executive Director, Childline Kenya
A Cry in the Night…
Beryl was just 16, but the weight on her young shoulders could have broken someone twice her age. Forced out of school by poverty at the early age of 13, she became a domestic laborer—a fancy title for days spent scrubbing floors, cooking meals she wasn’t allowed to eat, babysitting and enduring beatings for mistakes no child should pay for. Her wages? Pennies—when they came at all.
One night, with a heart full of despair, Beryl found herself holding a lifeline—a phone. Through trembling tears, she whispered a story of pain and betrayal into the receiver. On the other end was a Childline Kenya counselor serving at the National Child Helpline 116. Her cry for help didn’t go to waste. It sparked a mission.
Within hours, the response team mobilized by an officer of the Directorate of children Services was at her door. Beryl was whisked away from the nightmare she’d called life into a sanctuary of safety. For the first time in years, she was given what every child deserves—comfort, care, and the promise that she would never be alone again.
But we knew that rescue alone wasn’t enough. To truly break the chains of exploitation, Beryl needed to heal, grow, and rebuild her life.
Thanks to YOU, our frinds and partners, Beryl didn’t just survive—she began to thrive. Trauma therapy helped her unpack years of abuse and rediscover her worth. Meanwhile, our partnership with a vocational training organization set her on a path to independence. Today, she’s learning beauty and hairdressing skills that will allow her to step into a future of dignity and financial stability.
Beryl’s reintegration with her family was done with care and precision, ensuring she returns to a supportive environment. And our work isn’t done. We continue to provide mental health support, walking beside her on this delicate journey of healing.
Beryl has a dream—to own her own business and help other girls escape the same traps she once endured. Her story is no longer defined by pain but by possibility. Every skill she learns, every step she takes, brings her closer to the life she deserves. Your contributions didn’t just save her life; they gave her a future. And for every Beryl, there are countless more waiting for someone to answer their midnight call. In 2024 alone so far (by the end of September 2024), Childline Kenya has handled 14,777 cases of children in need of care and protection and sparked some hope and positivity in their lives.
Let’s Rewrite More Stories
Your continued support transforms cries for help into stories of triumph. With every donation, you’re not just keeping the Helpline running—you’re creating a ripple effect of hope and change across Kenya.
From all of us at Childline Kenya, and from Beryl herself: thank you for being her hero.
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