Stephen is 19 years old and resides with his mother in a modest three-roomed house constructed from rusty iron sheets and aged timber within their family compound. This dwelling was erected by Stephen’s late father according to African traditions related to inheritance customs.
Their living arrangement consists of the first room serving as the living area, the second functioning as the kitchen, and the last room being his mother’s bedroom. At night, Stephen sleeps in the living area on a couch that doubles as his bedroom.
While Stephen’s mother works as a casual laborer, she also engages in hawking clothes to maintain her income, although the work is not always steady. The family has faced challenges since the passing of Stephen’s father, who was the primary breadwinner. However, with the combined earnings from his mother’s work and occasional support from Stephen’s uncles, they manage to make ends meet.
Their home boasts a borehole in the compound, which they use for cleaning purposes. However, due to its lack of cleanliness, they are compelled to purchase drinking water. The tranquil and uncrowded home environment provides an ideal setting for studying.
In addition to her other activities, Stephen’s mother supplements her income by raising a few hens and planting vegetables in the kitchen garden. They use charcoal and occasionally firewood for cooking, and their house has electricity for lighting. Since their dwelling lacks self-contained facilities, they rely on an outdoor pit latrine, which also serves as their bathroom.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Stephen is an average student who achieved a C- in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). This result granted him an opportunity to enroll in a diploma course in Health Records at Kabete National Polytechnic. His strengths lie in languages, History, and Christian Religious Education. His hobbies and interests are in cars, Bike Racing and Reading.
For Stephen, the dream of completing his college studies and securing a job can become a reality with the support of a sponsor. Such assistance would undoubtedly transform his life and open up new opportunities for him.