Caroline's Story
My name is Caroline Njoki. I am from the Eastern Province of the Mbeere district, from the Mbeere tribe. I am seventeen years old and the oldest in a family of four. I have both parents, but I only live with my mum, as in 2002 my father left home to look for a job and never came back.
When my father left, my mother had to take care of us alone and she could only get the money to buy clothes and food. My mother was so hardworking, that when I was in class eight, she was able to make bricks and also grew some maize and beans for us to eat.
When my mother sold the bricks, she could divide that money into many ways - fees, cloth, food and medical care. And when I had completed my K.C.P.E. (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) in 2002, I was hoping to join secondary school but my mother was not able to pay for me. I was so worried about what I could do and how I could join a secondary school, but my only option was to stay home and help my mother in Shamba.
My life was so hard and I was still so young. After some months, my cousin came and took me to her shop and so I began helping her to sell her products in the shop. The money that I was earning was only enough to buy clothes and not enough to help my mum. I felt bad that my fellow students could go to school and I was working.
When I was working, my mind was to go home and stay there to help my mum instead. The work I was doing was difficult for me and I was gaining nothing at all. My mind was not yet settled. In that year, I felt hopeless and really longed to continue with my studies. I was crying every night and praying to God to help me because my life was hopeless and full of worries.
Then in November, when I had saved some money. I went home and felt there was no need to go back to work, because my cousin was just using me and paying me very little in return. I felt that the work I was doing would not help me at all. I talked to my mum about it and she promised me a dressmaking course which I could do at the nearest centre to my home.
One day, a man came to our home who was looking to help girls like me. He took me and the other girls to Riandu where we were interviewed. He told us that there is a place called Seed of Hope where girls can learn vocational skills, life skills and business skills. I passed the interview and he told us that he will take us with him back to the centre.
I joined Seed of Hope on 23rd January. I was so frightened to stay with many girls that I didn't know. But from that day, my life started to become a little bit easier. For four months I could not talk to other students because I was so afraid and feared them. But as time moved on, Seed of Hope taught me more about skills and how my future could be. Now I can make nice dresses and I know very well that next January I am going to open my shop at home with the money that I am going to save from working at the Johari shop. I plan to make and sell nice outfits for my customers, then the profit that I will make will help myself and my parents to continue expanding my business.
I really thank Seed of Hope for helping me. Going there has changed me, and I'm not the hopeless girl I used to be. Now I know my future will be very well. Now my future will be better than I was at home. I thank Seed of Hope for their help.
God bless you,
Thank you.