Evans (second from the left) has been a student at Seed of Hope Nairobi since 2019 and is an inspiring example of someone who is forging his own brighter, independent future from a challenging background. 

 

One of six siblings, Evans moved from a rural area to Nairobi to live with his older brother while still in primary school, following the tragic death of his father. 

 

A budding sportsman, Evans’ impressive abilities in football enabled him to secure sponsorship from a local community-based organisation in Kibera, which financially supported him through secondary education. 

 

Despite being a bright boy, negative peer influence at school meant he was unable to fulfil his academic potential. Much to his family’s dismay, further education was not a possibility. Without further education he lacked direction and fell into bad company in the slums of Kibera which put a strain on the relationship with his brother. 

 

At a crossroads in his life, Evans realised he needed to get back on track and become self-reliant. With the blessing of his brother, he enrolled on the Motor Vehicle Mechanic course at Seed of Hope after hearing about it from a friend. He took the initiative to move close to the centre and support himself. The challenge of providing his upkeep did not falter his ambitions, he balances studies with a weekend and holiday work at a car wash.

 

Evans has found great friends at Seed of Hope. The lunch provided helps to fuel his concentration and the empowerment programme, which aids personal development, has boosted his self-esteem. His commitment and hard work has paid off, meaning he is now top of the Motor Vehicle Mechanic class.  

 

Working together with the team at Seed of Hope, Evans can now see a brighter future ahead. We are excited to hear that he would like to build on his experience in employment before establishing his own automotive repair company and advancing his study to degree level. Armed with sheer determination and practical skills training, Evans believes that he will get a well-paying job that enables him to write a different story about his life and the life of his family.

 

Unfortunately, the government has closed learning institutions in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19. The uncertainty of the current situation has left Evans and many of his peers, in a vulnerable position. The car wash where Evans was working to pay his rent has closed and his housing situation is precarious. He does not have the means to return home to his rural village and he is fearful of the volatile environment of the Kibera slums. 

 

The young people and communities we support in Kenya are at risk and need our help more than ever. Seed of Hope continues to provide financial support for emergency food rations, as well as important medical information and guidance counselling through a Whatsapp groups and other mobile technology. Students are receiving assignments to keep them engaged with their studies whilst the centres are closed. Evans is very appreciative of the support he is receiving during the pandemic and we thank you for your generous donations during this challenging time. 

 

 

Support our Emergency COVID-19 Appeal here

 

 

Blog written by volunteer Lucy Farrell