This is her story...
I come from a family of seven children, and I am the first born. I lost my mother in 2022 after she experienced complications during delivery. Before my mom's passing she used to do domestic and manual labor for people who needed her services, washing clothes or sweeping their compounds.
When those jobs were not available, she went with my siblings and I to beg in the streets, so we could get money to buy food and house rent among other things. At times I would go without her, but I would carry my youngest brother on my back to go and beg in the streets of Nairobi. I would walk as far as the city center and Eastleigh, which is quite some distance from my home. My youngest brother helped because he attracted sympathy from passers by who thought he was mine, and they would give. My mom said she had been doing the job of begging since even before she had any of us. I started begging at 6 or 7 years old. I am 14 now.
After my mom's passing, my grandmother took us in. My siblings and I, with my cousins and aunt, lived together. Life wasn't easy there. I have suffered in the hands of my grandmother, being forced to do house chores and at times denied food. My siblings always got food though. I would still go and beg as usual to supplement whatever was needed.
In the streets I encountered some difficult experiences. There were different kinds of abuse, lack of a place to sleep, frequent trouble with the police, people who would just talk bad at us, and exposure to drugs. Most of the time I was completely out of it, since I was always high on something. I had no direction at all.
Today, I am happy and feel so much better being at MADE IN THE STREETS. When I first came here I had no Idea how to read or write a single English word. Now I can read many English words. It is hard to create a whole sentence on my own, but I can understand books and do class work. I am already up one class since I joined MITS.
I do not wish to go back to that life in the streets. I want to keep on getting better. MITS has really helped me because I would still be begging, using drugs, and suffering.
One day I wish to become a doctor, so that I can help sick people to get well. I also want to take my siblings to school in order to get an education like I have, and I also want to help my grandmother move from where she lives to a better place.
Mary's story is one of courage and hope. Join us this Sunday in giving to impact even more boys and girls like Mary. All children deserve the opportunity to dream, and your support provides those opportunities.
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