Blog
Charlie tells us about himself...
My name is Charlie and I am a third-year student at Mount Kenya University studying Bachelor of Science in Information Science. I can express myself because TKW education program has empowered me. Here’s my story…
I was born in a slum as the second born in a family of 7 children plus cousins who also lived with us. We grew up with both parents, but this excitement was short lived because my parents separated, my father left us under mum’s care to carry the responsibility of raising us alone.
It was hard for her, and we began surviving on one meal a day. We always had rent issues for the two small rooms we occupied. We were a big family and the responsibility weighed heavily on my mum’s shoulders. (See the photo below) Her wages from casual work could not cater for all family’s needs. My older brother and I started visiting the streets to scavenge and support our family. It was not a pleasant experience as I used to go to school tired, angry, frustrated, hungry and dirty with no time to take care of myself!
My encounter Tumaini Kwa Watoto (TKW)
TKW team found me on the streets one day in 2015 while I was in grade four of primary school. They were friendly people and I easily interacted with them. We built a relationship that helped me understand how life would be different for my family in future if I was consistent in school attendance. I resolved to remain at home and settle in school and not visit the streets anymore. My brother continued staying on the streets for another six months after I had returned home, and he was also rescued.
TKW education empowerment
Before meeting TKW team during my lower primary school, I had to miss classes, visit the streets for manual jobs to pay my tuition. During the holidays I would look for casual jobs at a young age sometimes to put food on the table. Through TKW educational empowerment, I attended school regularly and was able to focus on my education.
As I look back on this 12 years journey to where I am today, I want to say THANK YOU to TKW Education empowerment. You have helped me see a different world and expose me to new and rich sources of information which have changed my thinking. Since joining Mount Kenya University my life has changed. I have learned how to relate with different people from different backgrounds with different perspectives in life. I have learned to form new cultures and habits like reading, regular exercise and community services.
My future looks brighter...
Education empowerment has pulled me from nowhere to somewhere I am today. My future looks bright because you cared to walk with me and my family – moving from poverty to purposeful living!
TKW Educational empowerment is a life changer for me. May God bless you!
Celebrating 25 years of TKW work...
Part of first rescues when the work begun…Christine and Akinyi
