Jane Wambui Kinuthia

Jane writes:

I was born in a family of five being the first born and the only girl.  My parents worked as farmers before my father died.  That was back in 2007.  After my father’s death my mother couldn’t stand life with her in-laws and without my father around.  So she decided to move with my four siblings leaving me behind.  Up to date I have been unable to know their whereabouts.  Though in August 2012 I received a phone call from my brother (the second born) telling me that had been arrested for reasons unknown.  After a week he informed me that she is to serve a jail term at Langata Women’s Prison.  I have not heard anything further since then.

I dropped out of high school for almost three years due to life challenges in our family.  During all that time I actually learned a lot because I got to know that I was lacking something very important – education.  I met many kinds of people, I interacted with them and I must say I admired the life of those who are educated – the way they make decisions, how they interact with people wisely, how they think critically and how they reason.  I also realized those who are educated are held with respect and dignity in society.  Thinking about all these I wished I could get an opportunity to go back to complete my secondary education.

Being the first born in a family of five I know I am the only hope for my siblings to be educated and gain a better life.    I don’t want to continue to live the kind of life I have lived.  I would hate to see myself and my family suffer the way we did.  I wish to be able to be self-reliant and I know education will help me do this.  I believe education is the key.  That is why I want to be able to help others like me beyond my family to also gain an education, thus changing the lives of as many people as I can – especially those who are disadvantaged.   Once I attain a proper education I know I will be able to help many others.

I’ve realized that the level of education in my community is quite low due to lack of opportunity or interest.   Many people tend to think that there not enough jobs for learned people.  I would like to conduct school programs for these kind of people to help them realize the importance of education.  It is not only important because one can be employed but also the knowledge acquired can be used on a day to day basis.  As well, one can be a professional entrepreneur and employ him/herself and others.

In December 2014, I will be completing my high school education.  After high school it is my goal to study nursing.  With this education, it is my desire to help many disadvantaged people and orphans.

I believe it is important to volunteer in your community because it is well needed and it also encourages others to help out as well.  I have been volunteering in an environmental conservation club (Kijabe Environment Volunteers) since primary school.  I have been doing a lot of down clean ups to encourage people to dispose of waste properly and I have also been involved in tree-planting – replenishing our local forests with indigenous trees.  It is my desire to continue to help in environmental conservation efforts because we cannot be healthy without a flourishing natural environment.