By Peninah | Director
"Coming from a polygamous family of 15 siblings was the worst nightmare in my life.My dad abandoned us in Mathare slums after marrying the second wife and life became hard for me my siblings and my mum who was then a house wife.We are 8 from my mum and am the 5th born.Getting daily bread and neccesities became a challenge as my mum was jobless and depressed.We tried to reach out to our dad but there was no positive response for supporting us.My mum recollected herself and sought a job in a nearby informal school as a cleaner but the income was so little to sustain our daily needs.Most of the times our house was locked due to lack of rent.The life became so discouraging as i saw other kids going to school but had to be left home to take care of my siblings.It was so painful.My mum became helpless and vulnearable,so were we.Deep in my desperation,i went to church to ask God why we were suffering.My eyes cought some girls playing basketball in the church compound.They looked so happy and different.I sat on a bench to watch them and my heart wished i could be one of them.I came back the next day and watched them again.That night i was so disturbed and wanted to play with them so the next day i asked the lady who was training them if i could join them.I didnt have the skill but she told me she will train me if i came early and eventually i would be like them. 2 weeks later i shared my plights with the safe spaces director and she listened like she was feeling my pain.She told me that she is not able to help me but she can help me workout through my problems and achieve a positive result through the help of her wellwishers.One week later she took me back to school and supported my mum to start a small grocery business.I found out that i was not the only one with problems and we were many facing hardships and we became support for each other.My burdens started easening.I passed so well and i got a high school scholarship through safe spaces.4 years later i got a B+ GRADE in my secondary final exam in 2014.I was not lucky to get university scholarship in 2015 but 2 of my safe spaces collegues got support and joined University.I was bit devastated but remembered how far i had come and became positive that i will join university and do Nursing.I want to support women who give birth in our community at home without medical care.My dream came true in 2016,when the director came from one of her trips and told me "YOUR FEES IS FULLY PAID,YOU CAN JOIN NURSING SCHOOL NEXT WEEK."This was dream come true.I joined medical college one week later in septembers and am so excited.The kind heart that gave and saved me from my agony,may it receive million times.I will use this opportunity to get education,support myself,my family and the women in my community."
Sharon.
Something that has puzzled me all my life is why am in special need of help,the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom i have no claim.How far that little candle throws its beams,so shines a generous deed thrown in the world to make ones life diferent in a positive way.Thank you for being the people who pulled us up when were down.Supporting us learn about ourselves,supporting us get sanitary pads,books,uniforms etc.Thank you for supporting to give education to more than 50 girls.Thankyou for being there for us when we need you most in our lives.Thanks for giving unlimited.Thank you for your gnerousity.
Merry Christmas and a healthy New year 2017.
By Kathryn Chlosta | Safe Spaces Foundation Board Member
By Peninah | Director
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