How You Can Help
These children and others like them need your support. Find out how you can help.
Good News!
"Everyone is excited for their first day of school at Riverside and to start making new friends!"
-Waithaka Riverside Principal Samuel Ndirangu with Susan, Beth, Moses, and John
Five Mission Education children enjoyed a play date at TLHOH orphanage. It's not every day one gets to make 40 instant friends!
- Details
- Written by Fridah Inoti, Mission Education Social Worker
Catherine Wanjiku is a widow living in Waithaka, Nairobi County in Kenya. Before the death of her husband in September 2014, they had been blessed with four children-one girl and three boys. The husband died while she was pregnant; she gave birth to a baby boy. Life in Nairobi took a turn for her as she had five children to feed, school, clothe and pay for other needs without any spouse. Catherine was a stay home mom and depended solely on what her husband was making. However, after the death of her husband, she had to do all she could to ensure that her children had at least something to eat. Her children, who were in school then, had to stop schooling and the older ones were left home with the youngest siblings as the mother struggled to get casual jobs to help in survival. After a while, the children were readmitted to a government school but they were sent home for lack of tuition, books, and uniforms. Catherine’s children are MaryAnn Gatwiri, age 12; Samuel Muchira, age 10; Michael Murimi, age 7; Peter Munene, age 5; and Job Mambo, age 1 and 9 months. MaryAnn is in class 6, Samuel in class 4, Michael in class 2 and Peter in Pre-K. They all have dreams of being the best and achieving so much in their lives. Through all the struggles, the mother provides as much as she can. She shared with me her prayer is that her children will be able to be in school and acquire the knowledge needed to achieve their goals. Her biggest need is someone to support the education of her children. At this time, she depends on the little money she gets from various casual jobs to care for the children. We appreciate your willingness to offer a hand to this so deserving family.
- Details
- Written by Fridah Inoti, Mission Education Social Worker
Emmanuel (boy) and Gracious (boy) are siblings living under the care of their mother, Gladys Makangai. Emmanuel (also know as Manu) is thirteen years old and is in Class 5; Gracious is seven years old and in Pre-K.
Their Mother separated with their dad when Gracious was 4 years old. The father cut all communications with the family and they are not aware of where he is. Gladys takes care of the two children. She lacks skills to be employed permanently, hence washes clothes for people to earn a living.
The children are enrolled at a government primary school that is not far from their home. Despite the fact public schools are “supposed” to be free, Gladys has not been able to pay for the additional costs requested by the school. She has been unable to raise money to purchase books and school supplies required to keep the children in school. The little money that Gladys gets is used for meals and rent. At times, the money is not enough for these necessities so she depends on well-wishers.
Gladys and her family are Christians; she shared with me that she always prays God will help her children achieve their dreams. She has instilled Christian morals and values in her children and guides them on a daily basis.
The two children have dreams they are looking forward to achieving in life. Emmanuel shared with me he wants to be a doctor when he grows up so that he can get money and support his mother and brother.
It’s in this regard that we are reaching out to you to help these two children achieve their dreams.
- Details
- Written by Fridah Inoti, Mission Education Social Worker
Anne Wanjiku and her husband had three children Erick (9), Mary (7) and Patricia (5). After the father was murdered during the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007, Anne and the children relocated to Kikuyu, about 15 minutes drive from Waithaka.
She rented a house but later was unable to pay the rent and was sent away by the landlord; they ended up in the streets in Kikuyu. A Good Samaritan took them to Muli Children’s Home and the children were enrolled in school and the mother enrolled in vocational training. Anne became employed in a salon in Gitaru Kikuyu and rented a house. She was able to take care of the children until the salon was forced to downsize and lay her off. Unable to raise enough money to sustain her family, she turned to prostitution in Kikuyu.
Some well-wishers learned of her predicament and helped her get a job as house help. They also provided counseling. With this help she no longer had to resort to prostitution. She was also provided a limited amount of financial assistance and was able to enroll the children at Kingeero primary school.
As the sole provider for all their basic needs, Anne is overwhelmed. The money she makes as house help is not enough to sustain her and her children. This has resulted in the children missing school often because the mother cannot afford to pay the tuition fees and is not able to buy the required school supplies. All three children are currently at home.
- Details
- Written by Fridah Inoti, Mission Education Social Worker
John is a boy aged nine years living with his mom and his younger sister Patience. Patience is one year, four months. The two siblings live with their mother, Betty Andavi.
Betty is currently separated with the dad of the children. She shares that they separated a year ago. She was a victim of domestic abuse and felt at some point that the only way out for her was to separate from her husband. She is unaware of the whereabouts of her former husband and hence the responsibility of bringing up the children is left to her alone.
John is currently in class four in the public primary school nearby. However, John hasn't been able to attend school and is home most of the time because the mother is unable to come up with the required fees to keep John in school. The mother shared with me that when she is able to get some side jobs like washing peoples clothes, the money is only enough for food and hence she is not able to support her son's education.
The family lives in a single room mud/mabati house as that is all the mom is able to pay for. The house doesn’t have electricity or water. The family uses a lantern for lighting and firewood or paraffin stove for cooking.
Betty shared that her biggest wish is that her son will be able to go through school and achieve his dreams. She shared that it hurts her when the boy is at home because they can't afford school fees. John keeps asking the mom why she cannot send him to school.
- Details
- Written by Fridah Inoti, Mission Education Social Worker
Beth Wangari and Faith Wambui are sisters aged nine and eleven years respectively. They currently live with their dad Livingstone Kibue.
The girl’s mother died two years ago after a short illness. Since then, Livingstone has been the only parent to the two girls.
Livingstone doesn’t have a stable job and is hence involved in some manual jobs so as to be able to feed his family and pay house rent and school expenses for the girls. It has not been easy for him but his believe in God and his desire to see his girls succeed has propelled him to work even harder.
During the start of this term, the two girls were sent away from school as a result of accumulated tuition fee balance at the school. The two girls owed the school 10,000 Ksh (10,000 Kenya shilling is equivalent to about $100). Livingstone shares that he was ailing for most of the time last year and hence was unable to work. This led to many accumulated debts not only at the school but also with food vendors.
He approached the school at the start of February and informed the head teacher that he was willing to work for the school at no pay to clear the debt. The school management agreed and he is now a nighttime guard at the school. The money he is earning goes towards clearing the pending bill. He has been relying on friends to support his children.
When he reports to work at night, the children are left alone which is also a risk to the girls. Livingstone has shared with me that what hurts him the most is leaving the girls unattended each night. He keeps praying that they are safe. If he gets someone to help him pay school fees for the girls, Livingstone shared that he can look for a day time job and be there for his children when they return home in the evening from school. This would also enable him to feed for his family and hopefully cater for other needs.
The family lives in a single room with no electricity or water. They use charcoal to cook and a lantern at night.
