Mercy’s new beginning - from the streets of the Nairobi slums back to the classroom thanks to your kind support
Mercy’s New Beginning: From the Streets to the Classroom
Earlier this year, we shared the heart-wrenching story of Mercy* - an 8-year-old girl we found begging on the streets of Nairobi in Kenya alongside her widowed mother and five siblings. For the past three years, Mercy had not spent a single day in school. Her life was defined by hunger, rejection, and a profound sense of hopelessness.
After her father died tragically in a construction accident, Mercy’s world crumbled. Her mother, Ruth*—herself raised on the streets—was blamed for his death by his extended family. They cast her out, branding her as cursed. With nowhere to turn, Ruth and her children were left homeless, without food, clothing, or support.
But something remarkable happened. You stepped in.
Thanks to your kindness, and through the generosity of all who supported our Nairobi Slums Easter Appeal, which a generous Christian foundation doubled, we have incredible news to share!
*names changed for privacy
Mercy has gone back to school!
For the first time in more than three years, Mercy walked into a classroom last week, nervous but full of hope. Our dedicated social worker was right by her side, along with her mum, helping her take those first courageous steps into a new chapter of life.
And what a difference your support made. Mercy arrived at school wearing a beautiful new uniform, carrying a brand-new backpack filled with school supplies, and proudly walking in her first-ever pair of new shoes. These may seem like small things, but for a little girl who has known only struggle, they were symbols of dignity, hope, and belonging.
Before this joyous milestone, Mercy and her family received trauma care and emotional support, along with ongoing mentorship and livelihood assistance for her mum. Your generosity didn’t just restore a child’s education—it helped rebuild an entire family’s sense of worth and possibility.
Even more, your gift helped launch a children’s ministry at a local partner church that had previously never had one. Today, Mercy and her siblings attend regularly, discovering community, faith, and a sense of purpose.
Mercy’s story is just one of many. But it’s a powerful reminder of what love in action looks like. Thank you for being part of her transformation.
Because of you, Mercy now has a chance to dream again, to learn, to grow, and to believe that her future can be different.
Why your help matters
Over 2.5 million people live in the slums of Nairobi, the largest slum network in Africa. Crammed in squalid housing, most live in extreme poverty and unimaginable living conditions.
Many live with HIV and most lack access to basic services such as electricity and water (50 households share one non-flushing toilet).
Drug and alcohol abuse are widespread, typically as a means to ‘numb’ life or quell hunger pains. Nearly 65% of families are led by single mothers, many teenagers. School drop-out rates are high.
Our pilot project here in 2023 showed that there are high levels of trauma, both amongst the children and their mums.
Set in the heart of these slums, our Community Hope Centre cares for some of the slum’s most vulnerable children, typically school drop-outs referred to us by partner schools and churches, who we have trained in how to identify signs of trauma in a child.
Here, the children and their parents receive a lot of love, specialist trauma care, Bible classes, life skills, education support, and take part in fun activities. In some cases we pay the school fees for a limited period, as we work hard to strengthen the family so when they leave our care, they are empowered to support the rest of the child’s education.
Watch our video here
Kids Alive is dedicated to providing holistic care for traumatised children and their families, referred to us by local schools, authorities, and churches. Our services include trauma care along with spiritual support, strengthening families, and offering help with livelihood and education.
We also empower local partners and church leaders by training them in trauma care and safe child practices, so they can share their knowledge with others. Additionally, we offer parental support through engaging church workshops and events, and we provide trauma care training for teachers in our partner schools, featuring interactive workshops. We strive to remove barriers to school attendance by assisting with fees, transportation, and creating homework clubs.
"I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten." Joel 2 : 25
Posted by Lynne Edmunds on June 18th 2025
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