In Catherine’s words:

A reflection on my life and present career advancement culminate on one thing; the beauty of humanity! Among the myriad things that would spell despair in my life as I grew up, there is the unmerited support that I always got through my education life, which always gave me the strength to push on. Growing up in the slums of Korogocho in Kenya, a complete Orphan, the expectation that I would end up a ‘complete waste’ was at a seemingly irredeemable high. This reality first hit me when I completed my primary school education but could not join High school because of lack of 100 Kenya shillings ($0.80) required to facilitate a pregnancy test, which was part of the necessary evaluations needed by the school at the point of admission. While I did ultimately manage to have this fee waived, my first year in High school was mostly characterized by more of staying at home than at school.

Meeting the Flora and Johnston Ashene foundation through the school’s sponsorship program was, therefore, a breath of life in the most literal sense. The beauty of the support they gave me was not only limited to paying the school fee, but the provision of access to basic needs. Through this support, I came to experience what normal childhood feels like. In fact, I would confidently acknowledge that this support assured me life away from the degrading activities I have had to see my peers engage in just to survive the unforgiving hardships of the slums.

While sponsorship through high school was the planting of a much needed hope in a child who would otherwise be void of humanity, it was the effort to seek me out after high school, and assist even further, that best shaped my concept of humanity. The foundation sought to connect with me after high school, ensuring that I went through college for TWO diplomas (a Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Diploma in Special Needs Education). By fully committing to fund this and ensuring that I had access to all the needs to keep me in school, the Foundation has not only empowered me career-wise, but also seen to the shaping of a human being that will seek out to always support the growth of another individual! My education life and the support I have received through it is a testament of what an effort to assist the next person whole heartedly can do. My strong desire to pass it on to the next person is an illustration of the much that can be achieved through the kindness of lifting a child and giving them hope!