Ex-house help who scored A-minus in KCSE

She grew up in poverty, witnessed domestic violence; was soon orphaned and forced to mature ahead of her time... But today, Jacinta Wanja 24, is a shining emblem of hope. She told BRENDA KAGENI her story

I was born and brought up in Nairobi’s Kayole estate, the third born in a family of six siblings. Dad was a mechanic and mum sold vegetables — jobs that accorded them only a meagre income. Ours was a life of poverty. It did not help matters that dad was a drunkard and beat mum up every time he came home drunk. As children we saw it all and hated it.

Our childhood was therefore, quite unstable. Mum was imprisoned to dad. She neglected herself and us as well. We lacked the love growing children experience.

When I came of age, I attended Dhawabu Primary School in the neighbourhood. It was a challenging experience as we lacked basic requirements like school uniform.

Then the fights at home advanced and mum wisened up — she retaliated every time dad beat her up. It caused them to separate many times. But when I was in Standard Seven, it got grave. Mum left for her home in Nyeri. For six months we lived with dad then one day I left to join mum. I was enrolled at Charity Primary School where I sat my KCPE in 1999. I did not perform very well; in the same year, my parents reconciled. I returned home eager to join Form One. Despite being called to two schools, financial difficulties held me back. Instead, dad enrolled me for a six months dressmaking course in Embu.

Mum’s poor health

In 2000, mum’s health took a dive. She got sick quite often and needed a lot of care. I returned to Nairobi to be near her but chose to live in Ruai with a friend who made dresses. That way, I would gain experience in the profession in exchange for a place to stay and food. Besides, I hated our home. I was bitter with my parents, particularly dad. I felt I wasn’t receiving enough love. Ever since Standard Two, I refused to acknowledge him as my father. I told all my friends that my father was knocked down by a car.

In 2001, when I was 16, mum passed on and dad was getting sick. Although I had two elder siblings aged 20 and 18, there were still three others behind me aged 14, six and four. I took up a job at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at a cafÈ. Sometimes, I had to work 36 straight hours just to make a little more to add to the family budget.

The contract at JKIA ended in 2002 and because staying at home was not an option, I found myself a job as a housegirl in Nairobi’s Umoja Estate, earning Sh2,000 per month. Eight months later, I got tired and left. Meanwhile the situation at home deteriorated. Dad was getting sicker and couldn’t work anymore. We could not afford rent and had to move to our auntie’s place in Soweto.

Since I needed to take care of my younger siblings, I went back home and a family friend gave me a sewing machine, which I used to make children’s dresses that I sold in the estate. I took others to Kawangware on market days. But soon, I got weary of working too hard yet selling little. Besides, it crossed my mind that I did not have children of my own so why I was struggling too hard to take care of our family made no sense. I was bitter at dad and at my older sister, whom I felt were not doing enough. Because we were not united as a family, the challenges overwhelmed us. No one cared any more.

One day I woke up and took my two youngest siblings to an uncle who lived in Embu and explained my dilemma. I told him I was still young yet I was struggling too much. I then left for Nairobi to an aunty’s place. I was desperate and needed guidance on what to do with my life. I opened up and told her I needed a job away from Kayole; away from dad and my brothers and sister. In 2003, I got a job as a house help in Utalii Village. The couple I was working for was very kind to me. They treated me like a member of the family. They told me that I didn’t have to be a house help the rest of my life.

Back to school

I loved education and since no one in my family had studied beyond Standard Eight, I decided to return to school. The couple encouraged me so much and we often watched Family TV — a local Christian station — together. A lot of programmes inspired me but Frankly Speaking, where people shared their testimonies had the most impact on me. One day, I heard world-renowned televangelist Joyce Meyer share her life story. So touched was I that I called the station and asked to share my story.

My main aim was to inspire someone who was broken and had given up in life. I also wanted to speak to my father so he could reconsider how he was treating his family.

I was slotted in. The response from the audience was overwhelming. So many people called in wanting to help. It helped that I knew what I wanted in life — to get a proper eduction. So when a couple offered to take me in and educate me, I jumped to the offer.

The year was 2003 and Dad had passed on months earlier. I went back to Standard Eight. Fortunately, the headmaster had watched the show so I didn’t need to explain myself too much. Adjusting to the school environment was not easy. For starters, I had forgotten everything I had learnt earlier. It helped that the teachers supported me and God gave me the grace to finish. I passed my KCPE and joined Pangani Girls High School the following year, in 2005.

Pangani nurtured me. There, I found the family environment I always yearned for. The teachers were a blessing; some, I view as my mothers to this day. In Form One, it was hard coping with the students — they could not understand why I acted differently. I was quite distanced and was always so serious. However, the teachers were very supportive. In Form Four, I became a prefect. I was also a member of the Aids Awareness Campaign in the school. In 2008 I sat my KCSE and passed well.

I wanted to study medicine at the university, because my hearts desire is to nurture others. However, my grade fell short by one. I am now torn in between Pharmacy and Nursing. I never imagined such a day would ever come. When I made clothes, I thought that one day I would own a boutique. When I was a housegirl, I used to dream really big.

The last straw

I want to go to the grave empty, having accomplished all I can. Even right now, my family is looking up to me. I want to see my brothers, nephews and nieces educated. I want to help people. I like talking to people who are discouraged; those I have a burden for, especially vulnerable girls and house helps. House helps particularly, are often people with big dreams as despised as they are. Their biggest setback is that they are limited. I want to heal hurting hearts. We do not just get sick physically. We also get sick in our souls and those are the things that kill us.