SCARS OF COURAGE: IMANI JERUTO
Imani’s journey is a powerful testament to the hope and resilience that orphaned and vulnerable children have to hang on to in the face of hardship.
From Kipsongo village, Bondeni location, in Trans-Nzoia County, Imani and her siblings lived with their 42-year-old mother in a one-room rental house, situated next to a pool of filthy water in an area full of illicit brewing and substance abuse. Their mother would take on casual jobs to earn a living and occasionally sold illicit brew, which sometimes led to her arrest or forced her to hide from security officers for several days, leaving the children alone. Often, they were evicted from their home when she failed to pay rent on time. The children's school attendance was inconsistent, and their academic performance deteriorated significantly.
The second-born in her family, Imani was forced to grow up quickly when her elder sister left home and her mother, often absent and struggling with alcoholism, neglected her children’s needs. Instead of enjoying a carefree childhood, Imani became the caretaker for her younger siblings, doing whatever she could to provide for them. She washed clothes for neighbours and leftover maize after a harvest from people's farms to cook or sell in order to buy food. She was determined to keep her family fed despite overwhelming odds.
The adult who should have protected Imani instead became the source of her pain. Her mother’s frequent drunkenness brought chaos and violence into their home, and the children had to carry the burden of her frustration. One day, in a moment of rage, Imani’s mother burned her with hot water. It was only through the intervention of concerned neighbours, and a dedicated community volunteer that Imani and her siblings were rescued and given a chance at a new life at Baba Nyumbani.
After her admission into Baba Nyumbani, she had several counselling sessions to start her off on a healing journey, assuring her of her security and our support for her. She was well received by her age mates and parents at the micro community.
As a result of the counselling sessions, Imani now looks at life positively and learning to understand and love her mother despite the trauma she subjected her to. She has improved in her academics and forges forward one step at a time. She also participates in school games and loves playing netball. Imani leads other children in the family in work and spiritual matters and is a good singer in church.
Despite the physical and emotional scars left by her experiences, her spirit remains unbroken. Her story is not just one of suffering, but of incredible strength and hope. Each day, she chooses to rise above her circumstances, refusing to let her past define her future. She dreams of becoming a nurse, inspired by the kindness and care she received from others. She believes that nurses have good hearts and help people in need—just as she was helped.
Imani’s journey reminds us that, even in the darkest moments, hope can shine through. Her resilience is a shining light for all children facing adversity, showing that with support and courage, a brighter future is possible.
**Name has been changed to protect privacy**