Maureen's Story
My name is Maureen Mwende. I come from the Eastern Province in Machakos district and am seventeen years old. I come from a family of four members and was the last one born in our family.
I finished my primary education in 2003, but my parents could not afford fees to take me to a secondary school, so I had no other choice but to stay at home. My parents did not lose hope and they continued looking for somewhere that I could learn skills and further my education. Thankfully, Seed of Hope was there to help me.
I finished my training at Seed of Hope in 2005. I was there two years and by good luck I was then employed to work at the Johari shop. Seed of Hope has helped me a lot in many ways. While I was at the Seed of Hope, my life and attitude really changed. I met people who care for me, loving people and also people who were ready to help me in anyway. I was trained on different skills like dressmaking, crafts, business studies, basic cookery, healthy lifestyle, C.R.E, English and Kiswahili. I also had counselling classes which were taken by one of the staff members. I was taught things like how to cooperate with each other, how to respect each other and lots more useful advice.
What I can say about Seed of Hope is that it is a place that I can never forget in my life. It was a place where I was given hope for my future and where I realised I can fulfil my ambitions, even though I didn't attend secondary school. The skills that I learned have helped me because I can now depend on myself and plan my life on my own and not just depend on my family. The skills I now possess can eventually help me to start my own business and run it on my own.
I now work in the Johari shop selling evening dresses, wedding dresses, suits and casual wear. The shop is located in Hurlingham near Chaka Place, Nairobi. My aim is to learn a lot within the time that I work in the shop and save enough money to eventually start my own business. My hope for the future is that I can run my own business and also help my family back home.
My thanks go to Vision Africa, Kate McAskill and the Sumerian Foundation for helping teenage girls like me gain knowledge and skills. Secondly, thanks goes to Deborah Ross and all the staff members of Seed of Hope for the support they have given me and the knowledge they have provided me with.
May God bless you all,
Thank you