Nessy’s experience is so very familiar to many children in Kenya. Losing one parent to HIV/AIDS causes trauma for any family, but then to lose the other parent, when Nessy was only five years old, almost broke her emotionally. Whilst she had someone who fed her, there were no cuddles nor anyone to dry her tears in the night. Soon this little girl lost her zest for life and sunk into despair. She was very vulnerable and marginalised as an orphan.
She was offered a place at a children’s home where her broken spirit was handled with kindness and patience; it was okay to cry, to miss her family and to ask questions. Nessy remained withdrawn for a long time, isolating herself from the others, but she was encouraged to talk about how she felt within an environment which was safe and warm.
It has taken years for this child to heal, her journey has taken resilience and patience. As the darkness began to fade, her smile began to shine through more and more. Nessy is still on her journey of recovery.
Part of that recovery can be seen in her school work. She has now graduated to Junior Secondary School and is enjoying better academic results, but her favourite subject of all is sports, particularly athletics. She loves to run. She is probably unaware of how much this will relieve her stress but it is an activity she has been encouraged to join in with at school and she now takes part with a passion. She love poetry too.
Nessy is smiling more these days and whilst she is still very quiet, she is known to be a kind and sharing person.