Hope In Action :: Kenya

Hi, my name is Nancy A. I was born in 1994. When my parents died, another family began taking care of me. They treated me like a slave instead of like others in the family. I had to do many, many chores each day. I finally ran away to stay with my grandmother. She is old, but together we care 5 other orphans living with us in a small western Kenya village.

Sometimes I am able to help in the vegetable garden at a nearby orphanage. I like learning how to grow food and sometimes I am able to take some vegetables home to cook. I hope to plant a vegetable garden at home soon with seeds saved from the orphanage garden that Hope In Action helped expand.

I was in secondary school, form 1, but it has been difficult. The school did not permit me to take exams because I was not able to pay the school fees and book expenses. Recently, the school stopped me from attending classes until the fees are paid. I have been able to pay a few shillings for fees sometimes, but my going to class for lessons is on and off because of the school fees. I am very frustrated because I dream of becoming a lawyer.

My name is Naima A. I have lived with my grandmother in a small village in western Kenya since the death of my parents. My grandmother is old and I have to help her with work around the house. Sometimes I am able to learn about vegetable and fruit gardening at a nearby orphanage where Hope In Action helped expand their farming. I like working in the garden and watch every day how the crops grow. It gives me hope for tomorrow.

I was in secondary school, form 1 until recently when I could no longer attend classes until my school fees are paid. I am very sad because I like all 10 subjects that we study. Geography is my favorite. I want to be a teacher when I complete my studies, but for now the school fees are blocking my way.

My name is Edith A. I live in a rural area of Kenya with my mother and 2 younger sisters. I was born in 1994. I attended secondary school until recently when the school sent me home until the school fees were paid. My father died when I was 9. My mother is in poor health and is very weak.

I have learned to raise vegetables at a nearby orphanage where Hope In Action helped expand the garden with equipment and plants that were new to our area. I am learning tailoring skills on some sewing machines that Hope In Action provided for the orphanage. I like spending time at the orphanage because of the love and concern for me there, and I like playing games and singing.

My greatest desire now is to be able to return to school and complete my education. I want to be a nurse, but the school fees and books are a big problem.

Ismael O., a secondary Kenya student born in 1994, needs a uniform to remain in school. Both of his parents died from HIV/AIDS.

In addition to the secondary school education, Ishmael is learning farming skills in an orphanage project assisted by Hope In Action. While a uniform is his immediate need, support is also needed for food, school fees, health care and clothing. Ishmael wants to learn skills that will help provide support at the orphanage where he lives now, and later as a head of household.

Hi-My name is Sarah C. I am 14 and attend secondary school, form one. Life is hard since my father died from an asthmatic attack. My mother earns less than a dollar each day by farming. I am learning about gardening at an orphanage where I planted and harvested pumpkins, tomatoes, cowpeas and watermelons. The garden project was sponsored by Hope In Action. The food I grew helped us have more to eat, and we had a little left to sell. I saved some seeds and will plant a bigger garden soon. I want to sell more vegetables so I can pay my school fees. There is a computer at the orphanage and I hope to hear from you. Maybe we can be friends.