Michelle is a 9-year-old girl living in a low-income, densely populated informal settlement with her mother and older brother. Her mother is a single parent and the sole breadwinner, often working long hours in casual jobs such as washing clothes to support the family. As a result, Michelle and her brother are frequently left alone at home, which exposes them to various risks in their unsafe environment. Due to the limited income, Michelle was unable to attend school for an entire year, causing her to fall behind academically and remain a class below her age group.

Social assessments revealed that Michelle is a very quiet and fearful child, possibly due to prolonged exposure to unsafe and unstable conditions. The social worker recommended psycho-social counseling to help her regain confidence and emotional well-being. Her situation was brought to attention by a concerned neighbor who recognized the urgent need for intervention. Michelle has since been identified as a child in need of care and protection, and support measures are being considered to ensure her safety, education, and mental health.

We are happy to welcome Michelle to Ewuaso Osiligi Center.

May 2025

Jessica, a 14-year-old girl from a remote village in Kajiado West Sub-County, comes from a region known for high school dropout rates. After losing her father and being abandoned by her mother, Jessica was left without basic care and survived by begging from neighbors. A kind neighbor’s family took her in, but she had to stop schooling and had been out of school since 2020 (Grade 3). While living with this foster family, her late father’s brother planned to marry her off against her will. Jessica, who desired to continue her education, was nearly forced into child marriage. Fortunately, a concerned neighbor who works closely with the children’s office intervened in time, reporting the case and ensuring her rescue. In late 2023, Jessica was enrolled at Osiligi and placed in Grade 4. Despite being older than her classmates, she remains highly motivated and is excited to be back in school pursuing her dream.

April 2025

At just 13 years old, Joyce has already faced more challenges than most. She and her siblings were raised by a single mother whose abusive behavior made home life difficult. The situation worsened until her mother was jailed for one year, leaving Joyce and her siblings without a guardian.

During this difficult time, Joyce was placed in temporary home care. Eventually, she was referred to Ewuaso Osiligi Centre, where she found stability and the chance to continue her education. Now in Grade 9, she is determined to build a brighter future.

Beyond her struggles at home, Joyce also battled health challenges. Last year, she was among the beneficiaries of an eye medical clinic, where she underwent surgery for cataracts. The successful procedure not only restored her sight but also renewed her hope.

Today, Joyce is optimistic about the future. With a safe place to stay, access to education, and improved health, she can finally focus on her dreams. “For the first time, I feel like my life is coming together,” she says with a smile.

Her story is one of resilience—a testament to how love, care, and opportunity can transform a life. Though her past was painful, her future is bright, and she now walks forward with hope.

March 2025

Kenyan Schools of Hope has been blessed to have the support of Trinity NJHS students who have volunteered to raise funds to purchase musical instruments for the students at Ewuaso Osiligi Center in their new Multipurpose Hall!  Byrdie Kaiser was a friendly face raising awareness at the PSIA District meet at Trinity Klein Lutheran School recently.  Thank you, Byrdie, for your awesome fundraising idea, and thank you to all the students who helped raise awareness at the State basketball meet in February!  We welcome other students who would like to join this effort, and earn community service hours in the process!

March 2025

Juliet, a 14-year-old girl in Grade 9, endured a life of suffering at the hands of her abusive parents. Driven by greed, they sought to marry her off against her will. Her mother, an alcoholic, offered no support, leaving Juliet to care for her younger siblings, who suffered greatly due to neglect.

Struggling under these conditions, Juliet found it impossible to concentrate on her studies. She was eventually forced to drop out of school and take on manual labor just to provide for her siblings. However, even the little money she earned was squandered by her mother, deepening Juliet’s despair. Her refusal to enter into a forced marriage further enraged her parents, leading to increased abuse and emotional torment.

As the pressure mounted, Juliet contemplated ending her life. At her lowest moment, her pastor intervened, offering her refuge and guiding her toward hope. He referred her to Ewuaso Osiligi Centre, where she was rescued and given a chance to rebuild her life. Now, with renewed hope and support, Juliet is on the path to healing and a brighter future.

February 2025

Joy, a 17-year-old from a family of ten, faced immense challenges growing up in a home where even basic sustenance was a struggle. Her determination to pursue education led her to Ewuaso Osiligi Center in February 2023.  As fate would have, it was discovered she was pregnant at the time, placing the institution in a difficult position because we did not have facilities to accommodate the girl in her state, and were compelled to exit as we contemplated on the best way forward.

In September 2024, Joy gave birth to a healthy baby boy. After weaning, her desire to return to school grew stronger, especially when her father attempted to marry her off. With the help of the Children’s Department, we rescued her and reinstated her at the center.  Joy's mother is caring for her baby. Unfortunately, her father disowned her, leaving her with no place to call home.

Today, Joy lives at the center among other girls with similar stories, unable to return home for Christmas but determined to rebuild her future. They are normally helped by some school board members while at the center because most girls have gone home for Christmas holiday.

January 2025

Tracy’s life took a devastating turn when her mother, the sole provider for their family, was sentenced to three years in prison. Suddenly, Tracy and her two younger siblings, all minors, were left to fend for themselves. With no means of support, life came to a standstill. As is common in African culture, relatives stepped in to care for the children. However, the additional financial burden proved overwhelming, and the children struggled to get even the basic necessities of life.

For Tracy, the hardship was unbearable. She lost hope in the future and gave up on her studies, convinced that her dreams had come to an end. Her resilience seemed to fade, but her story took a remarkable turn when the EOC project stepped in. Through their intervention, Tracy was not only able to return to school but also regained her hope and dignity. The support provided her with a lifeline and gave her the opportunity to start rebuilding her future.

After serving two years of her sentence, Tracy’s mother was released early, much to the joy of the family. Their reunion, which took place during a baptism and confirmation ceremony, was deeply emotional and brought tears to many eyes.

“I lack words to express my gratitude to you people of EOC,” Tracy’s mother said. “May God bless you and your donors for rescuing my girl and giving her hope.”

Tracy’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of kindness and support in transforming lives and rekindling hope even in the darkest moments.

December 2024

Irene, the youngest of seven, grew up in a remote Maasai community where girls’ education was often dismissed. Her father’s death left her mother alone to raise the family, a task made harder by deep-seated cultural bias and financial hardship. Though eager to learn, Irene’s chance at education seemed bleak. The nearest public school was 5 kilometers away, a grueling journey for a young girl.

Yet, hope appeared with the construction of the Ewuaso Osiligi Centre nearby. Irene dreamed of joining the school, but the fees were beyond her mother’s means. Unwilling to give up, her mother approached the school’s management, humbly explaining her situation. She offered what she could – the firewood on their land – as payment in exchange for her daughter’s education. Touched by her resilience and commitment, the management saw an opportunity to support their vision of empowering young girls.

They accepted the offer, understanding that it aligned with their mission to rescue and uplift girls from challenging backgrounds. With this arrangement, Irene’s journey to education began. Each day, she walked to the Ewuaso Osiligi Centre, carrying both the weight of her family’s hopes and the promise of a brighter future. Her mother’s determination and the school’s support paved the way for Irene to break free from tradition and pursue her dreams.

November 2024