A family from Mtituni village in Machakos Subcounty is celebrating the return of their 26-year-old daughter, Agnes Mueni (pseudonym), to the realm of education.
After a six-year hiatus, Mueni embarked on her secondary education journey, all made possible through the benevolence of Machakos Woman Representative Joyce Kamene.
Having dropped out of school while in Form Three in 2017, Mueni faced the unfortunate circumstance of being unable to continue her education due to a lack of funds.
However, her narrative took a positive turn when Kamene intervened through her ‘Second Chance to The Girl Child’ project.
The 26-year-old, now a mother of one, expressed her gratitude towards Kamene and the project that has given her the opportunity to re-enter the educational system.
“I thank the woman representative for giving me a second chance to education after dropping out of school six years ago,” Mueni said
Mueni highlighted the financial constraints her family faced, being peasant farmers unable to afford school fees for both her elder brother and herself.
The struggle was exacerbated when she became a mother immediately after leaving school, adding the responsibility of caring for her child to the family’s burdens.
Despite facing adversity, Mueni, who walked out of Form Three while heavily pregnant, is determined to make the most of the second chance afforded to her.
“I’m happy for the support to get back to school. I have struggled with life having been employed, exploited and molested by many for not holding relevant papers for dignified jobs,” Mueni said.
Kamene’s ‘Second Chance to The Girl Child’ project aims to support girls like Mueni who were forced to abandon their education due to various challenges.
The Machakos Woman Representative explained that the project is funded by the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and targets girls who left school due to circumstances such as early pregnancies.
Kamene emphasized that her office is dedicated to supporting over 200 such girls, alongside other bright but vulnerable children, gradually seeking them out through door-to-door initiatives in all Machakos sub-counties.
