Against All Odds: Ann’s Journey from Struggle to Success
Ann is 28 years old, a dedicated elementary school teacher whose passion for education has shaped both her life and the lives of countless young learners. Having pursued a career in teaching from a young age, she graduated with a diploma in teaching from college in 2019, which further enhanced her potential in the field. According to Ann, “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since childhood, and now, five years into this profession, I can confidently say there’s nothing else I would love doing more than teaching. Mentoring young minds and laying the foundation for their future careers brings me immense satisfaction.”  Currently, she teaches grades 1-9 in a private learning institution in Kenya.
Ann’s journey to success has been a tough road. Raised as an only child by her single mother, with support from her grandmother and maternal uncle, she learned at an early age that perseverance was key to survival. Her mother, being the family’s sole provider, relied on subsistence farming in the Eastern part of Kenya, an area characterized by inadequate and unpredictable rainfall with very poor, unreliable harvests. To supplement their income, she began hawking goods in the nearby Masii market center. Despite her mother’s tireless efforts, keeping Ann in school remained a challenge. “Though my mum made sure we had food, her income wasn’t enough to cater for my school fees, uniforms, and other learning materials. I was often sent home due to unpaid levies,” Ann recalls.
Tragedy struck in 2006 when her mother passed away while Ann was in grade three, leaving her in the care of her elderly grandmother. With no source of income, the two ladies had to depend solely on her uncle, who was also struggling to provide for his household. “There were times I had to stay home for weeks due to school fees arrears, no decent uniform and food was rare.  I envied my classmates who had clean uniforms and could afford packed lunches, since my school didn’t have a feeding program,” she shares. The situation worsened when her grandmother passed away in 2010. With nowhere else to turn, Ann moved in with her uncle and his family, yet her access to education remained uncertain.

In 2011, hope came through Tumaini. Ann, who was then in grade 7, was introduced to the organization by one of the local pastors who also served as a regional volunteer. She obtained sponsorship from Doc & Susan, a turning point that transformed her life. “The impact was immediate,” she says. “Tumaini covered my school fees and provided new uniforms each year, along with learning materials. My uncle no longer had to worry about tuition, and for the first time, I could focus entirely on my studies.” Ann adds.
Ann excelled in her final high school exams in 2016, earning a C plain, which secured her a spot in college. “I had always admired my teacher, a close friend of my mother, who inspired me to pursue education,” she says. “I enrolled in Kitui Teachers Training College in 2017, for a 2 years diploma course in teaching after two years and graduated in 2019.” Ann almost immediately found employment at a local elementary school in her village. “It was the perfect opportunity to give back to my community-sharing knowledge, nurturing young minds, and refining my teaching skills,” she reflects. “Since then, teaching has become an integral part of who I am. I truly love this profession.”
Today, Ann is financially independent, able to support herself and give back to her family, particularly her younger cousins who are still in school, as a way of honoring her uncle’s sacrifice during her hardest times. “I am eternally grateful to Tumaini and my sponsors for believing in me and granting me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live my dream,” she says.
Ann's story is one of resilience, hope, and transformation. Her journey embodies Tumaini's mission: empowering young people with access to education to break the cycle of poverty and build a sustainable future. Thank you to all our partners, children like Ann are allowed to thrive. Together, we are changing lives, strengthening communities, and creating a brighter future for Kenya.