Hannah's Story

Sila used to live in the village called Siaya with her family which included Pamela, Walter, Vivian, Kevin, Helmer and Husda. They used to love one another and the house was full of happiness. WhenSilas was at the age of thirteen in 2001, Walter died in a road accident and Sila together with her siblings were left with Pamela as the breadwinner. 

 

Pamela used to struggle in order to take care of her children. She used to do farm work so that she can feed them and also continue with their education. Her children used to know that whatever they needed was catered for. All of that ended when Pamela fell sick, complaining of a headache. A few days later, she passed away. 

 

This was the worst moment in Sila’s life, as her relatives came and grabbed their land and other properties that their parents had left them. After Pamela’s burial, Sila was separated from her siblings as Kevin was taken by one of their uncles, while she, Vivian, Helmer and Husda were taken by an aunt. Life with the aunt was not easy as she made Sila and her sisters work as if slaves since all the chores were given to them. 

 

Sila, as the first born of the family, took Husda, who was the youngest, and ranaway with her, leaving Helmer and Vivian at her aunt’s place. They went to the bus station and boarded a bus which was heading to Nairobi. Since they had nothing with them, they sat on people’s luggage until they reached Nairobi. With no other plan, Sila and Husda started walking, not knowing what to do or where to go. Eventually, a good samaritan noticed them and decided to take them in. 

 

A few weeks later, Sila decided to hustle in order to take care of Husda who was the youngest. Sila was introduced to Eastleigh by one of the neighbours where she went to do some chores for a little money which she saved. Her plan was to save enough money so that she could afford to rent her own house where she would live with Husda. 

 

Eventually, she had enough money to move to a house in Mathare where they could have their own life. There, Sila found many friends who introduced her to more hustling and she was now able to finally afford to put Husda in school to get an education. 

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