While I was living in the Mathare slum in 2010, I had the idea to start a pre-primary school, because I realized that people in the slum don’t value the importance of early childhood education. Most parents take their children to school at a very late age, which later has an affect on their ability to learn effectively.
After realizing the fact that preschool education is essential to overall school success and a sure means towards the improvement of the community’s economy and morality, I formulated an education and development policy to integrate a school in the formal preschool system and realize my dream of placing our community in the light of progress and power.
I was born in 1986 on Mageta Island in Lake Victoria. I started primary school in 1992, and finished in 2000.
In 2002, a former neighbor, who lived in Nyeri, asked my parents if I could work for his family as a house girl.
In 2003, I asked my employer if he would allow me to go to school, and he agreed, on the condition that I do house work without pay during the school breaks.
In 2004, I received a bursary which paid for the 1st and 2nd terms, and when the 3rd term started, I was sent home.
In 2005, I was accepted into Tumaini Children’s Home — and I attended Riamukuwe Secondary School.
In 2007, Tumaini paid for me to go to the Presbyterian Teachers College in Chogoria, and two years later, I received a primary school teaching certificate. Because of the help and love I received from friends and from Tumaini, I made a promise to myself that I would always help the poor, and that is what I’ve been doing since then.
After graduating from teachers college in 2009, I taught in St. Clare Girls School in Meru. Then in 2010, I taught English and Kiswahili in Mcedo Primary School in Mathare — the second largest slum in Nairobi.
In 2014, I attended the BBC’s 100 Women Conference in London, and my life was changed! https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38335861
During the school breaks in April, August, and December, I took courses at Kenya Methodist University, with the help of Noroton Presbyterian Church. I graduated in July 2016 with an Education diploma and specialized training in primary education and counseling.
In August 2016, I used my small savings to found Rossholme Education Centre, located in the Kiambiu slum in Nairobi. There are 405 students enrolled for the 2023 school year, ranging in age from 3 to 14 years, and they were in Play Group, Middle Class, Pre-Unit Class, and Classes 1 thru 6.
In December 2017, Jacob and I married. He is now a government education supervisor in Nakuru. And we are the proud parents of a little boy named Doug, who is almost 4 years old. He goes to a school near our home, where he is in the Pre-school 1 class.
I thank God for everything. He has been my provider. He has been so faithful. I love what He says in Jeremiah 29:11 — about having good plans for us.