Wanjiku Mithamo
MY JOURNEY - Growing Up in Poverty
I come from the interior parts of Kirinyaga County, where I raised my five children—three sons and two daughters, on my own. I live with a disability, and our family faced severe poverty.
Providing even the basic needs for my children was difficult. I depended on casual labour and the support of well-wishers in the village to survive.
At one point, I resorted to brewing and selling illicit beer as a means of trying to provide for my family.
Struggling to Keep My Children in School
My children were bright, but our difficult circumstances affected their education. My oldest son left school at a young age and later went to an urban area.
My other two sons and two daughters continued with their education despite the difficult environment at home. I wanted my children to have opportunities that our circumstances made difficult to provide.
RFI Came Alongside My Family
RFI Foundation came alongside my family and provided support during this difficult period. Through its assistance, my two sons were able to complete high school and join university, while my two daughters continued their primary education.
RFI also provided education and mentoring support to my children, giving them an opportunity to continue learning despite our financial difficulties.
Support During My Illness
I was later diagnosed with stage 4 cervical cancer. RFI Foundation stepped in and catered for my treatment until I recovered.
A Family Given Hope
The support from RFI Foundation helped my family through severe poverty, educational challenges, and my illness.
I remain grateful for the support given to me and my children and for the opportunities it created for our family.