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.