Educating orphans & the disadvantaged in Kenya

For this update, we are proud to share the words of one of our sponsored pupils, whose journey reflects the lasting impact of your generosity. Supported by Roko 20 from primary school and having completed junior school she will be moving up to Secondary School in January.  Her testimony offers a moving reflection on her childhood, her educational journey, and the opportunities made possible through consistent support. Written in her own words, it stands as both a personal story of resilience and a powerful testament to what your continued commitment makes possible.

MY LOVELY ENCOURAGEMENT

In this life each one of us has their own testimony or maybe secrets that make them remain with a wound. All we should know is that we all have a shimmering life and we live for we do have a purpose to live. Everyone is remarkable in their own way. As far as I know I believe that having self-worth and being principled can make us noteworthy people in life. A positive self-image can result in high self-esteem hence self-confidence.

I have always had a testimony to share but had no chance. It may seem to be tough or shaming but for sure it has made me into the great person you guys see today. I am none other but Nayla, a girl who was once hated by most. Growing up as a third born surrounded by three brothers was not easy. My parents were once the best couple ever; they helped each other no matter the cost. We always had something to put in our mouth like life was mwaaaaaah. As it has always been, the family members hated us and neglected us just because we were prospering and if I may say our life was flourishing. The happiest thing was we all had the parents' love and we were satisfied.

Their solid love didn’t stay for long, my pop was under the weather and so the worst happened, his leg was lacerated back in 2013.My mother who had by then taught my father how to pray was no longer interested. The family was like hell like I remember them quarrelling just because of something they could have sat and found the solution to. Things were not well, my mother was now dating another man and so the love we needed from our parents was no more.

My parents separated when my younger brother was two years old and I was 4 years old by then. My daddy did not have any job so he depended on well-wishers. That did not stop us from growing.

By the way we were very strong and healthy. I was supposed to join school by then and so I joined. I was a bright child like I was always positioned. I loved school so much that I would never miss even a single day. I finished my nursery and pre unit level with no struggle and so was to join class one. I never joined because the teachers said I was young instead I stayed at home babysitting my younger brother.

When you control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond because that is where your power is. As innocent as I was, I stayed home for about eight and a half months without touching or maybe reading a book. That was not the end of life, one day as I was on my way with my dad searching for food we met a woman and she introduced me to the Roko 20 Academy. Roko 20 is a school found in a simple village known as Kambirwa. It was founded by Tracy the director together with Job the manager back in 2014. It was started with the aim of helping vulnerable people.

The next day my pop accompanied me to Roko. I did an interview and was now one of the sponsored pupils. At first I had no sponsorship so Tracy was paying for my school fees until I found Philip my sponsor. Studying there was somehow difficult since I didn’t remember anything; I had to repeat pre unit and so did I. The teachers in a way hated me because I was always dirty, my uniform was dispatched because I had to wash it as young as I was. I hope you realize that every day is a fresh start for you, that every sunrise is a new chapter in your life waiting to be written.

Difficulty calls us to rise and with that rising we know what we are capable of. I went on with my studies and my position remained as usual. When we reached grade four the teachers in a way started loving me or maybe admiring my new self. We later did a zonal examination and to my astonishment I became position one in the zonal. I was either being position one or two in the zonal. I believed that studies would change me and my lifestyle would improve in a way. I believed out of a mountain of despair a stone of hope was found. The world was revolving and my new self was admired by most.

My brothers I don’t know if they hated me or what but they would beat me almost every day and were not there to help me. I had to do all the house chores alone like there was chaos at home. I think I was somehow traumatized; my mnemonic was I am more than enough and my today isn’t my tomorrow. I coped with this until I finished my grade six examination. I passed and joined junior school and that was another step in life waiting for me but due to all the support I got I was ready to face everything head high. I boarded Roko for 3 years; ROKO 20 became a home away from me.

I did my KJSEA examination this year and the results were beyond my expectations or thanks to everyone who took part in this victory. I am looking forward to joining senior school at a new level in life. I now understand that you should not let anyone define yourself but you should make them astonished by the actions you do. Getting to know your weak points and having a way to improve them.

Story will never end, they may be positive or negative depending on the branding that a single person has towards you. It is always good to prove them wrong and always encourage yourself you got it Nah. No one can be perfect but you can be the best version of yourself.

Sponsored Pupil at Roko 20

Age 15

December 2025