Hope begins at Kijiji - Shirleen’s Journey
Shirleen Nangira, just after completing end of Grade 6 exams
“When my grandmother brought me to Kijiji, my life changed. I no longer sleep hungry, and I go to school every day. I want to become a teacher so that I can help children like me and make my grandmother proud.”
— Shirleen Nangira, Grade 6
Meet Shirleen Nangira
Shirleen Nangira is a bright and ambitious Grade 6 pupil at Calvary Education Centre- Kibera, looking forward to joining Junior Secondary next year. Her journey, however, has been one marked by deep struggle and remarkable resilience.
When Shirleen was still very young, her mother left home and disappeared without a trace. She grew up under the care of her father, whose life was soon overtaken by alcohol abuse. His instability meant that he could no longer provide for her basic needs — food, school fees, or even the emotional care every child deserves. Days turned into weeks without meals, and Shirleen often missed school because there was no money for fees or uniform. Eventually, she was forced to repeat a class after missing exams, a painful setback for a child who loved learning.
Shirleen’s grandmother, Wilmina (left), KCU field officer, Moses, (centre), Shirleen (right). They wait to speak with the school principal- to ensure that Shirleen will not be sent home for lack of fees.With no stable home and an uncertain future, Shirleen fled to live with her grandmother, Wilmina, in Kibera. Life began to change from that moment. Wilmina, a dedicated member of Kijiji Cha Upendo (KCU), brought Shirleen into the program where she received full support for her education. Since then, Shirleen has never missed a single school day.