“University education is expensive and having someone to pay for it gave me the chance to study without having to worry. Honestly, I am grateful to Chris and Katherine,” says Sharon, now a journalist working for Kenya School of Government. During a recent interview,  Sharon reflected on the difficult journey that she and her two sisters walked after losing their father and later their mother. ”It is a painful memory for me as I recall kids laughing at my tattered school uniform and not wanting to share their meal with me since I never brought any  lunch as it was hardly there. We could go for days just on porridge. Even having Githeri (corn & and beans) was a miracle that happened once or twice a week”. And then God intervened through Tumaini. Sharon remembers with a big smile when Barnabas, the Tumaini region representative visited their home and told her and her sister that they had been sponsored. “The news of me being sponsored was a dream come true, the dying hope of completing my studies and building my career felt rejuvenated and alive with the news. Just being able to attend school without worrying about being sent home for fees was more than enough for me.” Chris and Katherine sponsored Sharon through completion of her Elementary, High School and  University degree in Journalism & Mass Communication.  Sharon never tires of thanking this couple for being there for her for such a long time.

Sharon is working for the Kenya School of Government  (KSG) in the corporate communication department. Her roles involve training of government officials, consultancy, covering events hosted by government, overseeing the weekly bulletin, and making all government communications for KSG. As a way of helping other girls in vulnerable circumstances in the slums of Nairobi, Sharon, along with some of her female colleagues, launched an initiative this year to provide young girls with sanitary towels so that they can continue with their education. They adopted twenty-four girls with a goal to double that number next year. "It is good to see those who receive hope turn around and pass it along to others." She concluded her interview thus: “The hope instilled in me by the sponsorship opportunity is the one that kept pushing me to do better and actualize my dream career in the mass media industry. Tumaini made it possible, and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunity.”
I cannot thank Chris and Katherine enough for giving one girl hope who is now passing the same to tens of needy girls . Indeed, I cannot thank everyone who has sponsored a vulnerable child and turned them into impactful adults in society. We have so many Sharons now out there because of your investment. If you would like to sponsor a child or give to our alumni fund so that we can help other bright students like Sharon, please do so TODAY.