Merciline and Bridgit
June 24, 2024
Clarion
June 26, 2024
“NOW I FEEL SEEN BY GOD”
Helidah was left orphaned in 7th grade by the death of her mother. Her Father had passed away five years earlier. Although she managed to get through 8th grade and did well in the entrance exam to qualify for High school, her formal education came to an end after grade 8. Her uncle who had helped pay her school fees in 8th grade was unable to pay for High school as the cost was too high.
Helidah was forced to drop out of school and as usually happens in such cases, ended up in an early marriage which unfortunately became extremely abusive physically and verbally. Not a week went by without her being beaten by the husband who taunted her saying “you have nowhere to go”. She was also verbally abused daily by both her husband and mother-in-law. Since she was an orphan, she had no other home to go back to and felt trapped. She endured this difficult life for 9 years.
In late 2022 after a particularly severe beating where her husband and mother-in-law ganged up to beat her, she decided to leave the marriage along with her 3 children.She found a job as a househelp (Nanny) in the city of Nairobi, where she made barely enough to support herself and her children. To make matters worse, the income was inconsistent as her employer would delay her pay or only give her partial pay.
When Helidah’s plight came to our attention, the Foundation paid the fees for her to get vocational education. This training is equipping her with skills and knowledge that will enable her to earn a higher and consistent income, enough to support herself and children in future.
Helidah is currently studying Hairdressing and Beauty therapy at a Vocational school in Nairobi. She has excelled and picked up the skills very quickly, amazing her teachers and coming top of her class. In March of 2024, she was selected to go for a three-week specialized training program where she excelled and won several prizes. She’s clearly very talented. One of her teachers was so impressed that he offered her a part time job working at his salon as she finishes her studies. With this part time income, she’s able to meet the basic needs of her children who are currently living with her sister in rural Kenya.
Her teachers have assured her of getting a well-paying job at some of the salons run by the college she attends, once she finishes her training and is able to work full time. She’s looking forward to living with her children and being able to provide for them. Helidah’s dream is to one day open her own hair and beauty salon.
