Helping through Maisha Bora, a message from Anne Wanjiru, Program Manager
Through the donations of our congregation and the support of the vestry, Saint James’ is now sponsoring two girls for high school in Kenya. Both girls were chosen for the program based on their high academic achievement and without the support of St. James’, would not be able to further their education.
Hope Nanyole Achieng
Hope was born on October 1st 2003 as a first born in a family of three kids. They live in a slum area 
of Naivasha called Kihoto where the mother works on washing people’s houses and other casual jobs as they arise and the father a casual laborer in a flower farm. The total income of the family is too little to meet the basic needs and thus they live in slums, they wore old clothing and their health is wanting a prove that they don’t get enough food.
Hope had the highest marks among the 2018 applicants having attained 401 marks against 500. She got admission to a good national school but the family was unable to enroll her. The mother search for help from well-wishers and politicians but she wasn’t successful. In her own words, she says “I didn’t know anyone to speak on my behalf so my daughter wasn’t considered for government scholarship.” They got promises by politicians only to turn their back on them when they enquired of progress. The young girl has been home not knowing if she will ever enroll in high school.
On receiving a call from Maisha Bora Manager, the mother did a prayer and hoped that for better news. Hope and her mother Violet came to the office and they looked devastated and hopeless. After the news of Hopes consideration for scholarship was shared the two broke to tears shocking everyone as we didn’t expect it. The young Hope stood and hugged Anne crying thanking God for hearing her prayers.
Hope just as her name, is now a girl full of hope. Her academic potential is very high and she aspire to pursue medicine. She says that joining school late isn’t an issue, what is important is that finally she can join the school she qualified to join. The school is in a town called Eldoret which is 117 miles from Naivasha. It’s a national school that admits the best performers countrywide.
We at Maisha Bora are very grateful for the chance to put a smile on this beautiful girl of Kenya. We can’t thank St. James Episcopal Church enough for this kindness. God bless you.
Miriam Nangila
Miriam Nangila was born in 2001 and is a second born in a family of three children. She applied for support in 2017 having completed primary school in 2016 and passed with 359 marks out of 500. She has since been at home helping her mother in working in peoples farms for a living. Her vision is to become a doctor and she knows she has the capability to achieve it. However, the financial constraints in the family is a big hindrance and hoped for God’s intervention in her schooling.
She attended a rural primary school where she walked long distance to and from school. Her father is sick and has been bed ridden for over five years. After consideration for admission to Maisha Bora, the mother was called and unfortunately she could not come to the office as her father (Miriam’s grandfather) had passed on and the family was preparing for the burial. A home visit could not be carried out immediately in this mood and thus more information will be supplied in due course.