“When I asked Mercy what makes her happy,” says our counselor, “she said the day Neema took her up with all her mistakes together with her child. She felt blessed and loved again even when she thought she had lost all in life.”

The last born of six children, Mercy’s father is a farmer and casual laborer while her mother stays home to care for the children and grandchildren. She attended traditional school until 9th grade, but had to drop out when she became pregnant. After finding out she was expecting, her father was unwilling to pay for the necessary school supplies and uniform needed for her to continue on with her education, and Mercy struggled to find direction for her life after getting pregnant multiple times. But she found a home at Neema and recently completed our three-year program.

Just before graduating in 2021, Mercy shared, "I am doing well, and I am happy that I am going to graduate next week. At first it had been tough for me because when I first joined Neema in 2017, I found out that I was pregnant. I was devastated because I knew I could no longer continue with my studies, and I thought my life had come to an end. But I went home, delivered safely, and I came back later in 2019 to continue with my studies. I want to thank Neema for honoring their promise on that.

“My first year was a bit tough because the environment was new, but with time, I socialized and found friends. The staff loved me and my daughter, and they have made our stay smooth. I want to thank Neema for giving me this opportunity to train in skills.

“I am grateful because I have learned how to sew, how to relate with others, how to manage conflict, and how to control my own emotions. I have learned about taking care of myself and loving myself. Therefore, I will respect my body and use the skills I have gained to get money to take care of myself and my children.

"Before I came to Neema, I was a Christian, but I didn’t have a solid foundation. I didn’t have the discipline of individual prayer or Bible study. At Neema, I have grown in my faith. I have learned who Jesus is, [and] why he came ... Even when I leave Neema, I will still stand because now I have roots in God’s word."

Photos of Mercy and Terry above by Emily Nelson Photography in 2021

Click here to hear Mercy share these words in her own voice: “Terry, [Mercy’s daughter], has impacted my life because she is the reason I got a chance at Neema—because they accepted me, and also her. If there was no chance for Terry, there wouldn't be a chance for me either because I couldn't be here without her. Not only has Terry changed my life, but also, I have been able to give her genuine love that a mother can give to her child because I have received healing through the counseling sessions. She has made me into a better person. My desire is to see her have a better life than I have had. I would like her to go to a good school, go to university, and be successful. I don't want her to suffer like I have—that is, before coming to Neema.”

Mercy’s daughter, Terry, says, “Napenda mama yangu Kwa sababu ananinunulia biscuits na ananibeba. (I love my mom because she buys me biscuits, and she carries me).”

Mercy has three children who are now ages seven, six, and three. Currently, she’s employed and working hard at a shop near Neema called the Kitale Wool Shop. Mercy and her kids live with her mother which helps enable her to pay their school fees with the money she makes at work.