William Okoba is ten years old. William is in the second grade and has been attending school at The Excellence School. His school is 15 minutes walk from home. He leaves at 6:00 to be at school by 6:15. William loves being at school, however, he is not able to due to financial constraints. He has been out of school due to school fee arrears.
He and his family live in the slums of Kawangware. He lives with his father, mother and his elder sister who is in grade seven in the same school. The family lives in an old one room that is made of rusty iron sheets and timber. The one-room house serves as a sitting room, kitchen and bedroom all together. It is therefore congested and thus the family is forced to work and be content with what they have and get. The house is connected to electricity and hence William is able to study in the evenings. They use a jiko or a kerosene stove to prepare meals. They buy water from a water vendor at a cost of kshs.5 per 20 liters jerrican for domestic purposes.
They share a latrine and a bathroom with other five similar families in the rental plot. The Environmental condition is not conducive for child upbringing, the place is noisy and poorly kept, however, they have no choice. His parents are hopeful for the children’s success.
William sleeps on the floor where his mother spreads a mattress for both siblings and the parents share the bed. The father is the sole breadwinner of the family who only depends on casual labor as well as the mother, however, they are not promised each day, this makes it worse for the family to survive especially now with the adverse effects of covid 19.
The income got is meager and therefore the family is forced to forego some basic needs, especially meals (they skip lunch) in order to make ends meet.
William would like to be an automotive engineer once he successfully completes school. His favorite subjects are English, Environmental, and C.R.E and in his last exam, he exceeded expectations. During his free time, William loves drawing and watching animated programs on tv. His favorite meal is fries and fish.
William says he really wants to be in school, work hard so he can be an engineer, so he can also have a better future and transform his family’s life. His parents too are hopeful and expectant that the organization will help transform William’s life by keeping him in school.