‘Think about this…if it wasn’t for each donation, where would our children be at this hour? Thank you for accommodating them, giving them hope, home and a decent life. I didn’t rescue them from the streets – each one of you did.’
Wangari Cecilia
The Sacred Heart Catholic School offers an invaluable opportunity for a better, more secure, happier life. Read just a few of our children’s incredible stories of adversity, determination and love, below.
Mary’s Story
I salute you all with great joy and gratitude, as I sit down to jot a few lines and to share my immeasurable gratitude to you all our dear Friends in England. You have transformed my life like transforming night to a bright day.
Allow me to introduce myself, I am Mary, I am 14 years old and an orphan. I was born in central Kenya in a very poor family. My mother was mentally ill and died when I was 4 years old. My brother and I lived with my grandmother who already had 9 children. We lived in a very poor situation, and my bed was a sack if I was lucky. Suddenly my grandmother got liver cancer and died within months at the age of 44 years. My last hope for an education was gone.
I still remember the sunset of our last day in misery with tears and I remember the sunrise of the day my life completely changed.
Wangari heard about us and came to our village. ‘Toto are you okay?’ Wangari asked me as she wiped my dirty face, which had not seen soap for a while.
As she drove us to school I was full of joy as I chewed a biscuit she gave us. I don’t think I had ever travelled in a car. Eventually we were given a good shower, smart clothes and had our shaggy hair cut. We were served food on a table and each received a small box of clothes, soap, tissues etc. I couldn’t believe this was mine.
In 2013 Sacred Heart Primary School became our home. This year we took our Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. I was among the best candidates who scored the best grades and have joined one of the best high schools in Kenya called Naivasha Girls High School. I want to be a surgeon and I believe I will make it.
I am very very grateful to Wangari, to the Sacred Heart School and to you my dear friends for your golden support that has made a difference in my life. I will work so hard and achieve my goal and I want also to help the poor and destitute children.
A million thank yous, God bless you all.
Simon’s Story
Simon had been a street child in Nairobi’s Mathare for four years before Wangari rescued him in 2014 and helped him get an education at Sacred Heart. He went ahead to score 429 marks, a top grade in the whole of Kenya, an earned himself a spot at Murang’a Boys High School.
“I feel like l have moved from the street where I used feed on cabbage…to the State House…White House…Palace!” said Simon. ‘When I was in the streets sniffing glue, I never thought I could become an important person someday. What has happened is unbelievable.” He has even featured in the Kenyan national news for his academic success; read the full article.
Esther’s Story
“Esther is one of our orphans who recently escaped from her guardian’s home. After her parents died in 2015, Esther and her five siblings were divided amongst their aunts and uncles, but the aunt did not care for her. In 2018, she was at a state school and her teacher noted that something was wrong. She was dirty, had no exercise books, and brought no packed lunch to school; she was withdrawn and cried most of the time.
Esther told her teacher what was happening and the teacher called me. Sacred Heart School took her in and she started to relax. Another aunt, however she said she would take her for school holidays. This time the husband of the aunt rejected her and said that he didn’t want her in the house; he mistreated her and even the other children and the family began abusing her. This was when she ran away to get back to the Sacred Heart School which she felt was the only home and refuge she had.
‘Thank you, dear friends, so much for your support to build this home and shelter for the destitute and orphans who need a home, love and care. God shield and protect you and your families.’
Wangari Cecilia
Lolot’s Story
Hello. My name is Lolot, and I am a Pokot boy. I am 8 years old. I live at Sacred Heart School. Before l joined the school last year, I was a bush boy. I used to live in the bush grazing with people’s cows. I didn’t know what it meant to live with a family or in a house. I went to the bush when my parents died.
Our lifestyle is different – you might not understand. Most of us Pokot live in houses made of tree branches, which is really just a shade – you don’t have to use nails or hammer to construct it. We join these tree branches using tree threads. We are nomadic – we don’t know what a permanent house is.
My twin brother Robo was rescued from exploitation by Wangari. He told my story to Wangari who sent my brother and some villagers to search for me. After a month they found me where l was shepherding cattle and sheep. I had not seen my brother for some years. We separated after the demise of our parents, to look for a way to survive. I joined Sacred Heart in January. I had never been to school before. I was shaved as soon as l arrived, as l had long hair. It was difficult to associate with other children as I was used to living in the bush. I was delighted to see we had meals and breakfast every day. To get food in the bush was a problem. We used to look for berries and antelope when lucky. I started learning how to read and write…
I am very happy now and I like taking care of our school cows. I also like making toys – I would like to be an engineer in the future.