Susan's Story
My name is Susan Melvin. I am 19 yrs old, currently at the Technical University of Kenya pursuing a diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. I live in a family of five that includes my three siblings and my mother. I am the eldest, followed by Queenbella Akinyi, who is 17 yrs old. She is currently at Kiriri Women’s University of Science and Technology pursuing a diploma in Procurement and Supplies Chain Management. She is then followed by Natasha Atieno, who is 14 yrs old. She will be sitting for her Kenya Certificate Of Primary Education (KCPE) by the end of this month. Lastly there is Vanessa, who is 10 yrs old, currently in class four.
My family and I live in Mathare slums and life in Mathare has never been easy. Living here has put us in situations where we have to compete for resources such as water because it is scarce in this environment. Access to clean water depends on how much you have in your pocket. It is a dangerous area and people are forced to shut down their businesses as early as possible for their own safety.
My mom does casual jobs like washing clothes for people so that at least she can buy us food. I can attest that raising four kids on her own has never been easy and we used to see how much she struggles to pay rent and feed us at the same time, not forgetting the fact that we are growing and we still have to go to school. Raising fees for four girls has also been a challenge to my mom and to us because as much as she struggles to earn a living whatever she is earning is not enough to secure our studies. At one point I was forced to drop out of school due to lack of school fees. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so during this time I used to help my mom to wash clothes for people so that she can at least boost her income. This was the worst period of my life. Some of the clients were very rude; they made me handwash duvets and baby sit at the same time. Sometimes I would go home without pay, and promises of payment sometimes never materialized. Many are the days we used to sleep on an empty stomach, and when the situation got worse, we resorted to borrowing food. At one point in life I almost gave up. However dropping out of school and washing clothes for people came as a blessing in disguise, because it was at this time that I was enrolled in the ANPPCAN program that paid the high school fees for my sister and me.
Susan has just received a new laptop and cellphone to support her in her studies.
"Success is not a gift for a chosen few but for a few who have chosen success." This quote was taught to me when I was in primary and it's still the one that I have in mind that keeps on motivating me every single day. Despite all the challenges that I'm going through, I'm willing to strive hard and make all my fantasies reality and my dreams achievable. I desire to become a woman of substance to the community, a role model to others and to my siblings by helping and trying to encourage and motivate others. My dream is to become a news anchor and a voiceover artist. I want to become the voice of the people, to show people life in a positive dimension and motivate young people who see life as hell, because I believe where there is life there is hope .
I want to live a happy and a meaningful life full of hope, and help others find happiness in life. I wish to improve my family's living condition by giving them a comfortable life and a life full of hope. I want to influence the life of others in a positive way and become an example that everything is possible. I see my self succeeding in life and becoming a great person in life who transforms the life of others by being their path to success and helping others find meaning in life. I see how people struggle to make a life in this place and I therefore intend to solve the various problems in the society. That is why despite all these challenges I see myself as someone of importance to the community and I'm willing to do the best I can to make my dreams reality.