In 2002, when Jane was four years old. she arrived at Otacho Hope Orphanage (now Otacho Christian Children’s Home). Following the death of both parents due to HIV Aids, Jane, an only child, was mistreated by relatives.

The Challenge

The prevalence of HIV Aids in the Otacho area is double the national average for Kenya but culture dictates that relatives should care for family orphans. However, this often does not work well, due to poverty and the sheer numbers of children.

When she was admitted to the children’s home Jane’s health was poor and her little body was covered in bruises from having been beaten.

The Solution

Along with the other orphans at Otacho Hope Orphanage (now Otacho Christian Children’s Home) Jane soon benefitted from the love and care that every child deserves. She started her education at Otacho Hope School (re-built by Kenya Thriving in 2012) and went on to gain a Secondary School place in January 2016;  Jane performed well in her final examinations (KCSE), leaving school at the end of 2019, with a C+ grade. However further education was beyond her reach, although she had not abandoned her dream of attending college.

Without work or any means of support, her village elders decided Jane should be married, but she bravely refused, which caused difficulties for her. Later, the director of Otacho Christian Children’s Home went in search of her, to discover what had happened to her. Sadly, he found that Jane had been having a very difficult time, so at her request, he took her back to the children’s home in the hope that he could raise funding for her college fees and expenses. Jane remained there throughout the global pandemic of 2020. Kenya Thriving was  eventually able to offer her a grant.

The Result

Jane was able to enrol at college in 2021 and fulfil her dream. She chose to study for a diploma in Community Health Science, but she performed so well that the university transferred her to Mombasa to complete a diploma in Mechanical Engineering. She has already been offered the opportunity to teach at a technical school but is still awaiting her final results. In the meantime, she is continuing her education as an intern.

This amazing young lady has suffered trauma and loss but has shown resilience and an aptitude to learn; she just needed someone to believe in her, encourage her and to realise that education offers the key to independence and a positive future.