By Sr. Frida Giteri, Sisters of Mary Immaculate
Jeen Ken is a 16-year-old Grade 9 learner at Mary Immaculate Education Centre Kaheti. He
comes from Ngamwa Village in Mukurweini, Nyeri County. Despite his young age, Jeen’s life
has been marked by hardship, loss, and immense responsibility. Yet, his story is also one of
resilience, hope, and the transforming power of compassion.
Jeen is the fifth born child in a family of seven siblings. Sadly, he only knows the whereabouts of
two; his elder brother, Graham Ken, who is studying at Kaheti Boys, and his younger brother,
Kenneth Ken, who learns with him at Mary Immaculate Education Centre Kaheti.
From an early age, Jeen’s childhood was overshadowed with family struggles. His parents
frequently quarreled, largely due to his mother’s addiction to alcohol. The conflicts at home
created an unstable environment for the children. Eventually, Jeen’s father could no longer
endure the situation and left the family to seek a new beginning in Machakos. Unfortunately,
he died there, leaving behind his children without the care and support of a father.
The children’s lives became even more difficult. The family was temporarily cared for by an
aunt, but the burden became too heavy for her to bear. When she moved to Nairobi she left
with Jeen’s older brother Graham, while Jeen remained behind with his mother and younger
brother.
During this period, their mother’s drinking worsened and she could not provide even the most
basic necessities for her children. Food became scarce, and there was no one to ensure the
boys attended school. As a result, Jeen and his younger brother dropped out of school.
Although still a child himself, Jeen felt compelled to become the family’s provider to keep his
younger brother and mother from starving. He began looking for casual work in the village and
was eventually employed as a casual laborer on a farm. Each day, he worked diligently, hoping
to earn enough money to buy food for his family.
Initially, the arrangement worked well as he was paid after completing his work. However, after
some time, his employer stopped paying him and with no income and no one to turn to, Jeen’s
hopes of supporting his family quickly faded. The situation deteriorated to the point where the
brothers became homeless and ended up living on the streets of Ngamwa Village. They would
beg for food and spend their nights sleeping in an abandoned house. Their daily reality was one
of hunger, uncertainty, and loneliness.
Yet, even in their darkest moments, there were people who cared.
The villagers and neighbors, deeply moved by the suffering of the two young boys, approached
the local chief and explained the plight of the children. The chief, in turn, reached out to Sr.
Agnes Mutisya, the Headteacher of Mary Immaculate Education Centre Kaheti. Sr. Agnes,
together with the Sisters of Mary Immaculate, immediately rescued the two boys from the
streets and offered them not only education, but also the love and care they desperately
needed.
For the first time in many years, the two brothers found a safe place they could call home.
Today, Jeen is in grade nine and continues to work hard in his studies. The Sisters have faithfully
provided their basic needs, paying their school fees, and offering them a stable and nurturing
environment. School holidays however tend to be particularly difficult for the two brothers
because while most learners return home to their families, they have nowhere to go.
They remain with the sisters. Occasionally, they visit their aunt in Nairobi, but Mary Immaculate
Education Centre Kaheti remains the only true home they have known for many years.
Despite the painful experiences of his childhood, Jeen has not allowed his circumstances to
define his future. He is a determined young man with great dreams and aspirations. He
understands the value of education and is committed to working hard so that one day he can
become self-reliant and make a meaningful contribution to society.
Jeen hopes that by succeeding in life, he will be able to extend a helping hand to vulnerable
children and families facing challenges similar to those he endured. Having experienced hunger,
homelessness, and hopelessness, he desires to become a source of hope for others.
Above all, Jeen remains deeply grateful for the love, care, and opportunities he has received
from the Sisters of Mary Immaculate and all the well-wishers who came to his rescue. His story
is a powerful reminder that compassion can change lives and that, with support and
determination, even the most difficult beginnings can lead to a future filled with hope and
purpose.