While growing up, Cindy never imagined that her life would turn out to be so difficult. At the age of three, her parents died. Being the only child, she went to live with her paternal grandmother who struggled to cater for her needs. In 2010, she went to live with her aunt in Nairobi, Kenya. From the moment she set her foot in the city, things only worsened.
Cindy’s aunt lived in an informal urban settlement in Nairobi. Cindy, her aunt and five cousins lived in a one-roomed mud-walled rented house with no adequate sanitation facilities. The family lacked access to running water and would occasionally buy water from vendors. To Cindy, this wasn’t the life she was expecting when she left her grandmother’s house.
Life in the city wasn’t welcoming for Cindy. The new environment came with uncertainties. The entire family rarely ate all three meals in a day. There was no space for Cindy and her peers to play.
To make matters worse, her aunt, the sole family breadwinner, lacked positive parenting skills. She physically and emotionally abused Cindy and her cousins. As a result, Cindy isolated herself and preferred spending time with her peers in the nearby school playground.
Despite the challenges, Cindy completed her primary education in 2019. However, her aunt’s income wasn’t enough to cover her school fees and the family needs. Cindy received the Government’s scholarship that helps students transition from primary to secondary school.
In January 2021, through the help of the area chief, she joined form one at a nearby secondary school. The chief also shared Cindy´s case with the area Community Case Management mentor and she was listed as one of the beneficiaries of the JOFA project.
Unfortunately for her, the scholarship did not cover all her school levies. At the age of 13, Cindy was forced to join her aunt to do menial jobs like washing utensils to purchase school materials and support the family. In a day, she could earn approximately 0.41 – 1.63 Euros.
In March 2022, Cindy was sent by her aunt to borrow some money for food from her son who resides in a nearby village. Upon her arrival at the gate, Cindy was blindfolded by an unknown 35-year-old man who forced her into his house and sexually abused her.
Cindy was helpless and could not call out for help as the man threatened to kill her if she screamed. After taking advantage of her, he consumed alcohol, became intoxicated, and fell asleep. Cindy did not hesitate, she opened the door, sneaked out and ran home.
“I feel very bad that the man wanted to kill my dreams and that aunt will think I am a bad girl,” Cindy said.
When she got home, Cindy disclosed what happened to her aunt who immediately reported the incident at the Korogocho Police Station. The Gender Desk Officer on duty called a nearby health facility and Cindy was attended and sent back home. Cindy was supported with trauma counselling, and guidance sessions. The JOFA team provided Cindy with financial support to enable her family and the officers to get Forensic documentation. The Investigation Officer is currently completing the preliminary investigations and the perpetrator will soon be arrested and presented at Makadara Law Courts.
After Cindy was identified as a beneficiary by the JOFA project team, she was provided with food, school materials and dignity kits.
Her aunt on the other hand has been sensitised on good parenting skills and is currently a peer-to-peer positive parenting member.
The family situation has improved, and they are able to get three meals in a day.
Cindy is currently on holiday, and she is hoping for the best when the new term resumes. She is relentless and has big dreams for the future.
“I want to be a Nurse. I want to read hard, get a good job and help my aunt,” she says.
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