From losing hope to a brighter future: Nelly’s story

can change life for good. Growing up in an economically struggling family, she had to endure life hardships including not joining a college after finishing her secondary school. Nelly was brought up in a small household which was shared by a family of two. Her family endured many challenges including having to consume borehole water which was not completely safe for their health. They would sometimes get clean water from a neighbor.

“The situation at home was not the best for us but we strived to survive as days went by,” she narrated.

Despite achieving the required grades to join a college, her dreams remained far-fetched due to lack of school fees. The conditions were exacerbated by the continuing economic hurdles within the family. This compelled Nelly to look for a job to compliment her family’s income. She found a job at a telecommunications company based in Kenya. She would sell sim cards and get paid through a commission. This work was however unable to sustain her need’s as well as her families.

Nelly in school uniform at AfCiC’s offices.

“I got a job at a telecommunication company which was selling sim cards and we would get paid on commission. I used the little money I got to help support the basic needs of my family. The money was not enough to even cater for my own needs,” she remembered.

Luckily, in September 2023, through an economic empowerment project that was implemented by Action for Children in Conflict, she was identified and registered as a beneficiary. Her parents participated in the project where they were trained on kitchen gardening. The economic empowerment project focused on reducing the number of children heading to the streets in search of food by ensuring that household are supported to become economically secure through vocational skills training, financial literacy training, and adult education.

Nelly receives an accolade for best performance in her school.

Through the support of Action for Children in Conflict (AfCiC) under the education empowerment program, Nelly was enrolled for a catering course in a college in Thika. Her school fees were paid to ensure her schooling ran without hitches.

“I wasn’t in school but ever since Action for Children in Conflict (AfCiC) supported me, I have been in school since September 2023 until now. I am looking forward to graduating next year,” she joyfully explained.

Nelly’s life has now changed. Her dreams of becoming a chef are now becoming a reality. She is committed to ensuring that she follows her passion in catering.  She dreams of becoming a professional chef and also own a premise. To her, the support she received was a bridge to a better life.

"I would like to sincerely thank Action for Children in Conflict (AfCiC) for their intervention in paying for my school fees. I promise to make them proud. To those who are beneficiaries of the same project, we should work hard and achieve our goals,” she concluded.