From Hopelessness to a Mathematics Teacher
Gladys, now a 26-year-old mathematics teacher and a mother of one, is grateful for the role Tumaini played in her life. In a recent interview, she recalled her experience as an only child being raised by a mother who was unemployed and struggling with the basics: “My mother worked as a house help, a job that provided minimal income and could not consistently meet our basic needs. Things like paying my school fees was an uphill task and I was frequently sent home…. I envied my classmates who were never sent home for fees and always had lunch to bring to school…I had nothing to bring to school. As a child, I felt helpless, unable to help my mother or change our circumstances". However, in 2007, things changed for the better. At the time Gladys was in grade 2 when a neighbor introduced her family to Tumaini and she was then was sponsored by Pathway Christian Church in Riverside, CA all through Elementary School and High School. For her 12th grade national exit exam, Gladys not only performed, she performed exceptionally well, earning herself an admission at the oldest and most prestigious university in Kenya, the University of Nairobi.
Through the support of Tumaini and government sponsored scholarships, Glady pursued a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in Mathematics and Geography and successfully graduated in 2022 as a teacher. With joy and great fulfillment, Gladys pondered her success story: “I have achieved what once felt like an impossible dream. I am living my dream; I have a stable job, where I can support my son and my mother”. Gladys’s story is one of resilience, hard work, the power of God and partnership of different communities coming together to help a vulnerable child grow up and realize her dreams. Gladys’s success story is also a testament and inspiration for the success of child sponsorship. It is an example of how an investment of $38 a month can potentially change the life of a vulnerable child. It is a call and invitation for anyone who has been thinking about investing in a vulnerable child to begin your sponsorship today. Or you have been thinking about adding another needy child to your sponsorship list. The beginning of the year would be the perfect time for children to go back to school. For your convenience, follow the link below to see the children who are available for sponsorship this month. You might find your “Gladys” there and help change her life forever.
As always, we are grateful for your impactful partnership in this inspiring work. Thank you for being such incredible partners.
