By Joyce, Training and Curriculum Administrator

Working alongside young women has been my passion. It has been my joy to show love and empathy. I have been able to gain an understanding of the different backgrounds our girls come from and how it affects their behavior, and that has greatly changed how I handle them. My life has been transformed in this encounter with them. Indeed, you cannot give what you do not have. So I seek to gain patience in order to be patient. I seek to have hope in order to give hope. And by working with young women, I’ve realized there is potential in every young woman, especially after they know who they are.

Mercy Cheruiyot was diagnosed with arthritis in 2003 at a very young age of 15. Before joining Neema, and after dropping out of high school because of the severity of her condition, she lost hope in life. Her parents had tried various hospitals and medication, but it was all in vain. So she continued to stay at home instead of being at school … until Neema accepted her.

When we accepted Mercy, we weren’t sure she would succeed at Neema. We weren’t equipped to handle such a case. However, Mercy received support from everyone. Since she was constantly in pain and was unable to hand wash her clothes or do simple errands, the other girls did the chores for her. And a Neema generous donor paid for her pain medication and transportation  to a specialist where she attended weekly therapy until she was able to do her own chores.

It was hard for her to thread the sewing machine, which made it hard for her to catch up with the rest of the class. But she did not lose hope, and her teachers were there to support her. She sat for Grade III exams and passed, graduating in 2019.

Despite the challenges, Mercy is one of the most successful alumni. She has a small shop in the community where she lives. She specializes in doing repairs and making school uniforms. Her shop also doubles as a grocery shop where she sells food and non-food items.

With proceeds from the shop, she is able to support herself by buying meds and food. When asked what she is grateful for, she says, “I don't have to depend on my parents for everything. Now I can take care of myself, and even support them. Every week, I take them some groceries, and it makes me feel very good. Neema got me out of a very bad place.”

We at Neema are so grateful that we are able to see our vision and mission come to reality in the lives of our girls. Their lives are being transformed and so are the communities around us.

Watch Joyce explain how Neema changed her:

Join us in continuing the work of transforming vulnerable young women in rural Kenya!