Widow's resolve to give her children the best

By Nancy Akinyi

As the world celebrates 100 years of marking the International Women’s Day today, a woman in the heart of Kibera slums is thumping her chest with joy. Her first-born daughter has been admitted to a Moi University after passing her KCSE exams.

Although she was widowed ten years ago and left with four children to take care of, and with no source of income, Dorcas Adhiambo was determined to educate her children. This passion is what kept her going strong and today, her resolve is stronger. She wants her other three children to follow in the footsteps of their elder sister.

"I did not get basic education, but this has not stopped me from educating my children," notes Adhiambo.

As a casual labourer, Adhiambo says she does laundry in households in a nearby estate and gets a daily wage of Sh300.

"This is very little money, but I thank God because I am able to put something on the table for my children on a daily basis and also cater for their needs in school," Adhiambo says.

Her husband’s death broke her heart, but it also marked her turning point. She vowed not to give up on life and pledged to give her children the best education within her means. She recalls how when her eldest daughter passed the KCPE exams with flying colours, she did not have money to pay for her secondary education.

"I did not want her to know that I was not able to pay her fees, but I prayed and asked God to shows me the way," she recalls.

Eventually, Adhiambo got a lucky break and she owes it all to God and her pastor who introduced her to sponsors who are willing to educate her children through secondary school on condition that they pass their exams.

Her second born child, a boy, is now in Form Three at Pumwani Secondary School, while her third born son joined the same school a few weeks ago in Form One. Her last-born child, a daughter, is currently in Standard Six.

Adhiambo is optimistic that her meagre income will continue to cater for the needs of her children and, hopefully, help her purchase the items needed by her eldest daughter in order to go to university.

"The death of a spouse is difficult," she says, "but it should bring down the entire family. The surviving partner must stand firm and give her or his best to the family."