As a small boy I lived with my grandmother. Life in the village was so cruel and I often felt that it was a big error for me to have been born at all. My grandmother played the part of both my mother and father. We lived in a small mud and thatch house that lost a bit of the roof each time it rained. My bed then was made of sacks stuffed with dry grass and surrounded by rats.

My Grandmother laboured hard to bring home what she could. She had two menial jobs, neither paid well. We also had a small plot of quarry land but little would grow on it. When things were desperate we would dig stones all day for twenty shilling a barrow full.

  Despite our hardship my Grandmother never gave up encouraging me to do well in school and struggled to pay my fees. At school I suffered taunting for poor grades and didn’t get my first pair of shoes until I was 12. In the midst of this bleak time I remember my teacher, Mr James, called me and said, “life is a treasure worth exploring and is a goldmine but is not for those that are not willing to dig and reach their goals”. Soon after that talk my grades improved and I passed my Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) at the top of the class.

  After my KCPE I came to Nairobi as one of my cousins knew of a school that was free to bright students. The school supported me well but life with my cousin was hell. I had to sleep with his two young children, who often wet the bed; the smell was unbearable. His wife made me do all the cleaning, cooking and childcare while she slept. She would only get up to abuse me or threaten to throw me out but if I wanted to be at school I had to remain quiet.

  Life continued to hate me and harass me until one day a neighbour took me to a place called Love Shack. Remembering the first day I walked into Love Shack compound in Kawangware brings back colourful memories. I met Karen Ward and she never took me for granted, I was shown love and comfortability I had wished for all my life. For the first time ever I had my own bed, well spread and silent. I thought I was in a small heaven in earth.

  I finished form 4 and thought that was it but Karen told me that it was just a stepping-stone. At first I thought I was not worthy but she never allowed me to defend my low level of reasoning with her tireless efforts and advise I found myself going to Uganda to study A levels.

  I have now completed my A levels and am currently teaching while I wait to go to medical school where I one day hope to become a doctor.