Renny - a Young Women of Kenya Scholarship student

I am 19 years old. I stayed in Nairobi with my mother, father, four brothers and my sister Mercy when I was a child. Dad worked for the government. My mother passed away in 1999, when I was still very young.

When I started high school, Dad could only afford to send me to an upcountry school. I had to go to stay at our ancestral home and look after my younger brother Oscar. It’s out in a village near Kisumu. Dad had to spend time with my siblings in Nairobi so that they could complete high school without being disturbed. I stayed near my grandmother and I saw her every day.

Because I had always lived in the city, I was only fluent in Kiswahili and English. Our tribal language, Dhuluo, is the only language my grandmother knows. Although it sounded familiar to me, I could only understand it a little and could not speak it at all. I have now spent a few years at home and can speak Dhuluo as well.

I aimed to achieve A grades, but I was frequently sent out of school because we couldn’t afford fees. I managed to complete school at the end of 2008 with a C- grade. I spent a stressful few months after school just in the house trying to work out how to continue my education.

I had dreamed of becoming a school teacher. I even volunteered at a school, but it seemed for a while that it would be impossible to afford the fees to get qualified.

Then in September I applied for a scholarship through Happy Villages. I was so happy when I found out that I’d won.

I am now enjoying my Early Childhood Development course. I am looking forward to the day when I can work with children and help my father by supporting myself. If I get a good job I will take Oscar to a very good school.