When Living was just eight months old, his father passed away. A few years later, his mother remarried and left him in the care of his grandmother. “My mother chose a new life, and I stayed behind,” he says quietly. “My grandmother became everything to me.” His grandmother worked tirelessly to raise him, but life was a constant struggle. There were days when they had no food, and she often went without so that he could eat. “When there was only a little food, my grandmother always made sure I ate first,” Living recalls. “Sometimes we still went hungry, and I could see how much it hurt her that she couldn’t give me more.”
Despite her determination, opportunities were limited. Living often felt left behind as he watched other children continue their education while his family struggled to meet even their basic needs. Support from teachers and local well-wishers helped him stay in school, but his future remained uncertain.
Everything changed when his school introduced him to Kijana Kwanza’s pre-Form One programme. Soon afterwards, he learned he had been awarded sponsorship. “When they told me, I could not believe it,” he says. “I knew my life was about to change.” For the first time, Living no longer had to worry about where his next meal would come from or whether he would be able to continue his education. Beyond the practical support, he found something he had never experienced before: a sense of belonging. “I now have many friends who are like my family,” he says with a smile. “And the guardians are like parents to me. For the first time, I felt cared for.”
With stability came confidence. Living flourished academically, earning a Division I (equivalent to Grade A*) in his Form Two (second year of secondary school) NECTA examinations and becoming one of the strongest-performing students in his cohort. “That was one of my proudest moments,” he says. “It showed me that I am capable of great things.”
Today, Living dreams of becoming an engineer. Inspired by his love of science and driven by the sacrifices his grandmother made for him, he is determined to build a better future for himself and his community. “When I grow up, I want to be a good engineer,” he says. “I want to build something for my country, and for my grandmother.”
Reflecting on his journey, Living knows how different his life could have been. The boy who once worried about empty plates and an uncertain future is now planning for university and a career in engineering. The support he received did more than meet his immediate needs, it gave him the chance to dream bigger and believe that those dreams are possible. “Thank you to the sponsors, donors and staff at Kijana Kwanza for believing in me when I had nothing,” he says. “You gave me food, education, a family and hope. I will never forget what you have done for me.”
