THE STORY OF MY LIFE.
Victoria tells us the story of her life.
Victoria and her brother Kennedy. Far right Victoria is pictured with Michelle Stark Founder and President of Matanya's Hope.
For More details and how you can change the lives of Victoria and her brother
Call 708 822 HOPE (4673) or
".....her own people despised us on her behalf. This is the pain that has become of me and my little brother Kennedy Kyalo. I have little to do but to struggle and look for a survival anywhere from any willing friends....."My name is Victoria Mwikali Pius. I was born on 24th September 1986. Within the first few years of my timid life I was raised in a local village (near what is known as Kamba land). Like many Kenyan children, I was primarily raised by my immediate family but was surrounded by homes, relatives and love from every direction. We endured hardships such as famine, drought, lack of even the simplest provisions like soap to the more significant ones like blankets, shoes and clothes. Sure, it was not easy... but somehow the love of my family and the faith we all had in better days would pull us through. Despite any worry, I did grow up. So it is true, God provided.
Although it is a child’s dream (as it was surely my dream) to go to boarding school, my mother was forced to struggle in order to send me even to a day school. (The reason I wished for a boarding school was because I saw that the children who came home from boarding schools always looked happy and fit. They spoke of 2 hot meals every day and a real bed to sleep in with a warm blanket to cover them. They told me that they had special classes in the morning before school, then after supper they also had revisions of all subjects. They were smart and I wanted to be smart like them!) After a lot of effort, my Mum saved enough money to send me to Kithangaini Primary School for my pre-school and primary education up to class eight. I was sent home frequently with a notice not to return until I paid more fees. This was common amongst the poor villagers of my area. Sometimes, I would stay home for a month before my Mum could collect enough to have me return to class. But, God is good. I started in 1991 and I cleared in 2000 with good marks.
As I approached my 8th grade graduation in 1999, my life took a very hard turn. Mum faced the final days of her life. She passed quickly which may have been good for her, but for me, my heart plummeted and it was so difficult. Already, we were minus a father and other close family members. Now, my single mother whose physical support, love and touch was the heart and soul of my own life, was ripped from my heart. She was the strength of our nucleus. Her death left my 7 month old brother and I orphaned with only my 72 year old and jobless grandfather to care for us. This event crippled my entire life as I knew it. The love a mother gives to her child was no more. He chose to help my younger brother only. To him, as a girl, I am worthless. Aside from sweeping his home and preparing him a meal when food was/is available, he neither hugs me nor affirms my life in any way. To this day I love my old grandfather despite the hurt and I do as best as I can to show him love – praying God to keep giving me the strength.
In 2001, my only uncle took pity on me and he paid my fees to join Vyulya Girls Boarding School. I remained there for each of the four years and then I cleared in 2004 with an average score. Unfortunately, my uncle dropped his task and left my life after our college interest differed. He was my only hope; it is now six years since I have seen or heard from him. I became responsible for sharing my love to my younger brother – who knew little apart from a smile which coasted my tears. The moments without Mum were unbearable for me. They still are. Life has changed so much for the people around me but my own life feels shunned. My poor mama had nothing and so she could leave nothing for us. Despite this, her own people despised us on her behalf. This is the pain that has become of me and my little brother Kennedy Kyalo. I have little to do but to struggle and look for a survival anywhere from any willing friends. . I decided to find a way out.I took the first job I could find. Family friends employed me to be a house maid – but after many months I learned that they only misused and wasted my time for their interest gains and they left me completely without pay. I did not even have a bar of soap to wash myself with. My dream felt like it was at a complete stand still. It was hard to breathe or to even feel the sun. I almost saw my life hopeless to the point of no repair but I with the small speck of hope left, I continued to pray.
Many times I feel abandoned and a slave in people's homes – even in their presence. Hardly a soul beyond my Mum and my uncle ever considered I was worthy of learning and now, no one has taken their places. As my brother Kennedy grew, he needed more of my attention, love and support and I watched in pain as he grew helpless because I had nothing. Once again, I had to leave him as I searched for a job. With the little skills I had, I still knew that one day, my time would come.On 13th June 2006, I was lucky! A pastor whose work was close to my own home gave me a job. I became his secretary. Although he paid me less than half a dollar each day, the money was enough to take transportation to and from work, and that was a good start. I aimed to use this time to learn much and I worked very hard. After a short time, I got enough experience to encourage me to apply for a similar job in Naoribi, the capital city of Kenya.
This was a difficult decision because I would have to leave my brother again in the care of my grandfather while I went to seek work in the big city far from home. It was the only way I knew. I went hungry for many days as I walked up and down the crowded and noisy streets looking for work, but finally, I met my hope when I was employed by a restaurant as a waitress in Nairobi. It was there that I met the Buffalo Dance Troupe whose caring hearts changed my life. They sought to know my story. When they were in town, they always made a point of coming to our café – even for the small items that they could afford. Over time, we really became friends. When my boss saw this, he fired me, leaving me jobless. This time, I had friends who did not leave my side. They encouraged me and kept my hopes lit up. Then, they introduced me to the timely angel of Matanyas Hope, an organization which has turned many Kenyans from hopelessness and despair to educated and well spoken citizens. Thanks for Michelle who followed the callings that spoke to her heart when she founded this. I have personally felt her love and hope to know more about her and her efforts in the organization.Soon after my termination as a waitress, the Maasai Buffalo Dance Troupe tried to secure a job for me in one of the hotels in the Maasai Mara where they live; this turned into a nightmare when all in Kenya suffered from the post election violence. Harun and Amos, the founders of the group, continue their support. They give me the only love and joy I receive in this world. They speak of Matanya’s Hope and my heart is overwhelmed with the wish that I will be among the eye witnesses and beneficiaries of the program. I pray to God that there is someone out there who will hear my story and take hold of my dreams so that I can go to school like the children in better places.
I have tried on my own to seek help to pursue college but it is always in vain. I will not give up because the admission letters which I have received from colleges have encouraged me a lot. There is hope. There is hope that I, too, will one day be someone that I can admire in our society. I will help other children just like me to feel loved and to go to school. Let my suffering become a pillar that others can use to lean on and guide them
Some of the acceptance letters I received were from:A) Rural Aid KenyaAfrican Institute of Health & Development - In this institution I have been invited to train and work with NGOs in the society and to help the needy. The Institution had offered some partial sponsorship yet, even with this encouragement and gift, I could not join because I lacked the other half of the fee. B) Graffins college-At Graffins College I was admitted to undertake Business information technology but, again, due to lack of money, I failed to report to the institution on reporting day because I was required to bring with me payment in full. I did not have even ¼. C) Nairobi Aviation CollegeAt Nairobi Aviation College, I was selected to pursue a degree in Mass Communications but I could not afford the fee. There was no other option but to watch this dream slip from my fingertips. It just was not my time. Someone out there is going to read my story, or to meet me – and to them, perhaps I will be the daughter they are looking for… or the student they wish to see prosper. Maybe my dream to get trained and work with NGOs to help my society in wholesome ways for the betterment of tomorrow will speak volumes to them. I know that you are there.
Please hear my prayer. As I wait for you, I promise, I will not lose hope. I am back home with my brother Kennedy now and I will seek whatever jobs I can find in the mean time to provide something for us to eat while God does His own work to find you. I am waiting for you. Though I don’t yet know your name, I love you very much.
Thank you.
Victoria
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