When Witness’s mother was two months pregnant, her father walked away, leaving the family behind. “I grew up never knowing a father’s love,” she says softly. In 2015, at just nine years old and before she had even started primary school, Witness lost her mother after a long illness. That same year, she and her siblings were taken in by their grandmother. But tragedy struck again in 2016 when their grandmother passed away, leaving the children once more without a caregiver.
Witness and her elder sister stepped into roles far beyond their years. Her sister devoted herself to raising the younger siblings, while Witness stayed with her brother Tadei. “We were just children, but we had to act like parents,” she recalls. “I knew education was the only way forward, so I kept pushing myself to go to school.”
Although considered too old to begin in Standard 1, her teacher encouraged her to start directly in Standard 2. Witness attended classes three days a week, balancing her studies with selling sugarcane at the local market on Mondays and Thursdays. “I would sit in class with my books, and then go to the market to sell sugarcane so we could eat,” she explains. “It was exhausting, but I didn’t want to give up.”
In 2017, their aunt stepped in to provide care and meet the children’s basic needs. Yet by 2021, as Witness prepared for her Standard 7 national examinations, her aunt told her she could not continue to secondary school due to financial constraints. “I felt crushed,” Witness remembers. “I thought my dreams were over. I cried because I believed I would fail my exams and never move forward.”
Everything changed when Witness joined Kijana Kwanza through our sponsorship programme. “It was like finding a family again,” she says. “I had a mattress, a guardian who cared for me like a parent, and all the support I needed to grow. For the first time, I felt safe.” Kijana Kwanza provided her with access to education, stability, and hope, and helped her realise that her future was still within reach.
At Kijana Kwanza, Witness flourished. She improved her Kiswahili and English, gained confidence in public speaking, and served as a prefect for three years, developing strong leadership skills. “I found my voice there,” she says proudly. “I learned how to stand in front of people, how to speak, and how to believe in myself.” Academically, she excelled, achieving a Division 2 (equivalent to an A) in her Form 4 national examinations.
Yet life continued to test her. One of the most painful moments came when her elder sister, the one who had sacrificed everything to raise their siblings, died of breast cancer. “She was my strength, my role model,” Witness says quietly. “When she passed away, I felt like the foundation of our family had been taken away. That pain will always stay with me.”
Even through grief, Witness found resilience. Inspired by her sister’s care and sacrifice, she now dreams of becoming a midwife, serving her community, and ensuring that others receive the support her family often lacked. “I want to give life, hope, and care to others,” she says. “I want to be there for mothers and children, because I know what it feels like to lose that kind of love.”
Reflecting on her journey, Witness expresses deep gratitude for Kijana Kwanza. “Without them, I might have ended up in difficult circumstances. Instead, I have confidence, skills, and a future.” To the sponsors, she adds: “You are angels. I pray for your happiness, your families, and your lives. Thank you for giving me hope.”
