Jennifer

Daniel, 13

Daniel is one of two children and lives with his single mother Anne Muthoni in Korogocho. Daniels father committed suicide in 2015. Life has not been easy since that time because their family hasn’t received any support from relatives. Daniel and his brother have never attended school as they were never able to afford the school fees. Daniel’s mother Anna is working at the dumping site scavenging for recycled scrap metals and plastics so that she can provide for her children’s basic needs. The situation at home is not easy as earning money for food and rent has been incredibly difficult.

Faith Muteyo, 13

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Jovial, 12

Jovial is the oldest of two children. Jovial’s father left the family and is living in unknown place. Jovial’s mother is left fending for her two children, paying for rent and other needs that the family has. His mother is working at the dumpsite where she earns very little money, making it difficult to sustain her family. NEST rescued Jovial and his brother Fabian from the dumpsite. Jovial likes reading story books at school. His favourite subject is mathematics. He would like to be a doctor when he grows up.

Fabian, 5

Fabian is Jovial’s younger brother. Fabian is calm and likes playing football while at home. His favourite subject is mathematics. He would like to be in the army when he grows up.

Robert Munyao, 14

Robert is the first born in a family of two children. His mother Mary separated from her husband in 2015 due to the physical abuse that she was experiencing. Mary struggles with casual jobs and earns very little income to sustain her family. NEST rescued Robert when he was in the streets. He was taken back to school. His favourite subject is mathematics, Kiswahili and English. He likes playing soccer. He is not enjoying his current school experience because the teachers are constantly changing due to little pay. He would like to go to a boarding school if he gets a sponsor. He would like to be a mechanic or long distance driver when he gets older.

Leonida

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Mogan, 12

Mogan is the youngest of four children. Mogan started accompanying his mother to work at the dumping site at a very young age. He was found by NEST social workers and went through a rehabilitation program and was eventually enrolled in school. His mother continues to work at the dangerous dumpsite. Mogan enjoys school because his teachers are good to him. His favourite subjects are mathematics, English and Kiswahili. He likes playing and watching soccer. His dream is to continue playing football and to play professionally one day.

Vincent, 10

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Alex

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Babra, 12

Babra’s biological parents are Jeridah Nyakitare and Enock Ageda. She is one of three children. The first born lives with her Aunt in Eldoret. Babra lives with the rest of her family in a small single room at Maili saba slum which is part of Dandora. Babra’s mother has the only income in the family as her father is unemployed. When her father is able to bring in money, it is spent on alcohol. Life has not been easy on Babra and she is forced to work at the Dandora dumping site where she ends up earning ksh 200 (equivalent to $2.43 CAD) on a good day. The money Babra is able to bring home is not nearly enough to cover their rent, grocery bills, school supplies, or other necessities. This has resulted in Babra and her siblings to be in and out of school as they are unable to pay for their school fees. Babra is in grade 4 and she performs above average. She likes skipping rope and playing with her friends.

Joy, 10

Joy is one of three children. Her mother Jacinta was married to a man who left her and their children in May 2020. The family has not heard from him, nore has he contributed to welfare or child support. Joy and her family live in a small single room in Dandora phase 5. Joy and her siblings are often in and out of school due to the school fees. They all struggle academically as a result of their inability to stay in school and challenging situations at home.

Larry

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Joyce

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Hillary

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Nicholas, 8

Nicholas’ mother Mary Mwende cares for him and his biological brother along with an 11 year old girl whose mother passed away during childbirth. Nicholas’ father does not help support the children and hasn’t been present since 2015. Nicholas wishes to be a teacher when he grows up even though he has never attended school due to the inability to pay the school fees.

Lucy Wambui, 10

Pesile lives with his sister Charity and mother Yvonne. Pesile and his family lived with his father in Dandora until March 2020. Pesile is very intelligent and attends Tom Mboya primary school. He wants to be a teacher when he grows up. Pesile’s mother works at the Dandora dumpsite to help support her children. Pesile and his family are financially unstable and experience many challenges since they moved away from their father.

Hellen, 14

Hellen is one of three children ages 16, 14 and 7. Hellen and her siblings live with their mother single Lucy. They lived at the Dandora dumpsite with their father until 2015 when he left them. Hellen and her family then moved to Ngomongo Korogocho. Hellen works at the dumpsite where she makes around ksh 200 (equivalent to $2.43 CAD) every day.  Hellen and her sisters suffer academically because they are unable to attend school regularly due to lack of school fees and other basic needs. When Hellen grows up she wants to be a Doctor.

Janeyudia, 10

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Dennis, 15

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Eunice, 10

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Daisy, 8

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Samuel Mulavi, 12

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Samuel Muli, 14

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Samuel Macharia, 12

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Michael, 8

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Benson, 7

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Yvone, 12

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Tracy, 5

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Linda, 13

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Zaid, 14

Zaid is one of seven children that live at home with his mother Fatuma and their father. Zaid’s father is unemployed although he sometimes looks after goats as a shepherd. He earns very little money and is unable to sustain his family. As a result, Zaid’s mother must work doing small jobs such as washing others clothes. It is not consistent. All 9 members of Zaid’s family live in a small single room which leaks during heavy rainfall. Zaid is in grade 8 and would like to be a doctor when he grows up, he likes playing football and performs above average in school. Zaid’s brother Abdi is also looking to be sponsored.

Adbi, 11

Abdi is one of seven children that live at home with his mother Fatuma and their father. Abdi’s father is unemployed although he sometimes looks after goats as a shepherd. He earns very little money and is unable to sustain his family. As a result, Abdi’s mother must work doing small jobs such as washing others clothes. It is not consistent. All 9 members of Abdi’s family live in a small single room which leaks during heavy rainfall. Abdi is in grade 4 and wants to be a pilot when he grows up, he plays football at school and he’s very intelligent. Abdi’s brother Zaid is also looking to be sponsored.

Robert, 11

Robert is one of two children, his mother is named Mary. Mary separated from her husband due to physical abuse. She now lives with a man and her two children in a very small single room. Robert has been unable to attend school due to a lack of school fees. Mary has the only income in the house, she works at the Dumpsite to provide some of the basic needs of her children. It is not nearly enough to cover all of their needs and expenses.

Frida, 10

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Anne Owile, 7

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Maxwell Wainaina, 5

Maxwell and his mother live with his grandmother. Maxwell’s grandmother feels as though she is stressed by the huge family burden that she is carrying. She works at the dumpsite to feed her three children and grandchildren. Maxwell’s grandfather died of Tuberculosis several years ago. Maxwell has not yet joined any school due to financial constraints that his family is facing. His wish is to join school so that he doesn’t end up in the street for the rest of his life.

Constance, 8

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Agnes, 12

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Benard, 15

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Faith Mutio, 13

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Faith Mwende, 13

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Esther, 15

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Stephen, 12

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Shanice, 10

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Joy Wanjiku, 9

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Josephine, 8

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Fidel, 9

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Sarah, 14

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Fridah Werambo, 9

Fridah is the firstborn of two children. Her mother works at the Dandora dumpsite. Fridah’s father was involved in criminal activity and was sadly murdered. Fridah is very intelligent, her favourite subjects are mathematics, Kiswahili and English. She likes skipping rope, dancing and doing poetry, she wishes to be a pilot when she grows up.

Pesile, 12

Pesile lives with his sister Charity and mother Yvonne. Pesile and his family lived with his father in Dandora until March 2020. Pesile is very intelligent and attends Tom Mboya primary school. He wants to be a teacher when he grows up. Pesile’s mother works at the Dandora dumpsite to help support her children. Pesile and his family are financially unstable and experience many challenges since they moved away from their father.

Babra Bosibori, 12

Babra is the only girl and last born in a family of four children. She likes her school because it has a big playground and her teachers are very kind to her. Her favorite subject is Christian Religious Education (CRE) and environmental studies. Her fathers is an alcoholic and becomes very abusive. She would like to go to a boarding school to have peace with her studies and to avoid the dangers she is experiencing at home. She likes skipping rope and playing with her friends.

Brighton Okoth, 13

Brighton is the second born in a family of four. He is doing well in his studies. His favourite subject is Kiswahili. He plays football during his free time. He would like to be an engineer when he grows up.

Stanley Ochieng, 13

Stanley is the youngest of 4 children. He and his siblings live with their mother. Stanley’s parents are no longer together due to his father’s alcohol and domestic abuse. In 2008, Stanley fell from a building and was taken to a National hospital for treatment. Due to the growing hospital bill, Stanley left the hospital before he was discharged. Stanley did not receive proper treatment and is now developing breathing problems, severe headaches, and difficulty with mobility is his left leg and hand. Despite all these challenges, Stanley likes going to school. His favourite subjects are English, math and science. He is among the best performing students at school. He likes playing football. He is a talented singer. His dream is to be a pilot.

Halima Atieno, 10

Halima is the first born in a family of two children. Her mother died of a short illness. She lives with her father who does not work consistently. He does casual jobs cleaning or on construction sites when they come available. Halima and her sibling have been going to the Dandora dumpsite to scavenge for some leftover food due to the severe hunger they were experiencing. Her favourite subject is Kiswahili and English. She reads story books during her free time both at school and home. She likes ball games. She is bright at school and would like to be a nurse when she grows up.

Lydia Mumbe, 10

Lydia is the youngest of three children. Lydia has never met her father. Her mother works at the Dandora dumpsite where she earns meager income that hardly meets the needs of the family. Lydia’s favourite subjects include mathematics and Christian Religious Education (CRE). She plays basketball at school. She is a talented dancer. She performs well in school and would like to become a doctor.

Build it.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Grow it.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Trizah, 10

Trizah is one of four children. Trizah’s family has a difficult time meeting their basic needs as their main income comes from the unpredictable casual jobs that Trizah’s father does on occasion. Other members of Trizah’s family would say that his father is an irresponsible alcoholic who is unable to provide for the family. Trizah’s mother is forced to work at the dumpsite where she can earn up to ksh 200 (equivalent of $2.43 CAS) daily. Trizah is in grade 4 and is very intelligent, he wants to be a lawyer when he grows up.

Margret, 12

Marget’s mother Esther is a widow. Margret's father passed away in 2011. Esther was left with the burden of raising her four daughters with no stable source of income. Margret and her three sisters are in and out of school due to lack of income and ability to pay the school fees. Esther works at the Dandora dumping site which has resulted in significant health issues and the inability to pay for basic necessities. Margret was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2018. She is taking prescription medication to reduce the symptoms of her epilepsy. Margret and her sisters have always been in and out of school. Margret’s mother fears for the safety of her children when they are not able to attend school because they associate with bad people. She fears they may join a gang. An Education for Margret would help her with her safety and academics.

Ken Boston, 13

Ken is an orphan and was adopted by Cecilia and her husband Alfred. Cecilia and Alfred have four children at home, two of which were adopted. Cecilia works at the Dandora dumpsite where she earns up to ksh 200 (equivalent to $2.43 CAD) per day. Ken had a severe fall which resulted in his arm being permanently dislocated. Ken and his siblings have always been in and and out of school due to the lack of money to pay the school fees.