Send an orphan to college

Celebrating Success: Shaden and Muugi’s Inspiring Journey

At Makindu Children’s Program, we’re honored to support children and young adults who refuse to let adversity define their futures. Today, we celebrate the achievements of Shaden and Muugi, two remarkable siblings who embody resilience, determination, and hope.

A Dual Celebration of Milestones
Shaden, a young woman filled with ambition, recently achieved a significant milestone: graduating with a degree in Education Science through a four-year university scholarship provided by our Post Graduate Assistance Fund. Her success is a testament to her hard work and the support of the Makindu community.

At the same time, her younger brother Muugi celebrated his own accomplishment, graduating from high school. Recognizing his potential, we awarded Muugi a university scholarship, enabling him to begin his college journey this past September. Both siblings have been part of the Makindu Children’s Program for years, growing and thriving despite the challenges they’ve faced.

Overcoming Enormous Challenges
The siblings’ story is one of perseverance. They live with their grandmother, a loving yet elderly and unwell caregiver who struggles to provide for them. Their mother, battling mental health issues and HIV, is often absent and unable to care for the family. Shaden, as the eldest, has taken on the role of caregiver and mentor to Muugi, showcasing her strength and sense of responsibility.

In 2018, disaster struck when floods destroyed their home and belongings, leaving them with nothing. Makindu Children’s Program, along with the local community, stepped in to rebuild their house—providing a much-needed foundation of stability.

Giving Back and Paying It Forward
Shaden’s journey has come full circle. After her graduation, she celebrated her achievement with the staff and children at the Makindu Children’s Center, where she shared her story of struggle and triumph. Her words inspired the younger children to dream big and embrace education as a path to success. Shaden’s commitment to giving back to Makindu and her community is a reflection of her gratitude and determination to create a brighter future for others.

Muugi, like his sister, is also giving back. During school breaks, he volunteers at the Makindu Children’s Center, contributing his time and energy to help those who are walking the same path he once did. With his education underway, Muugi is on track to join Shaden in providing for their family and breaking their cycle of poverty.

A Bright Future Thanks to Your Support
Shaden and Muugi’s story is a powerful example of how education, care, and community support can transform lives. Thanks to your generosity, these siblings are well on their way to becoming independent, successful adults who will uplift not only their family but also their community.

With your continued support, we can help more children like Shaden and Muugi. Together, we can provide scholarships, rebuild homes, and offer the vital resources these children need to succeed.

Donate today and be part of next year's success, of another child's dream. Together, we’re building a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Estella's story is one of perseverance, resilience, and hope against overwhelming odds. Her journey has been marked by hardship, loss, and adversity, but through it all, she has demonstrated remarkable strength and an unyielding determination to rise above her circumstances. Today, we are reaching out to you to support Estella’s college education—an opportunity that holds the promise of transforming not only her life but the lives of her family and community.

Estella is the eldest in a family of six, and her life has been filled with challenges from a very young age. Her father tragically passed away when she was just a little girl, a victim of the AIDS epidemic that has devastated many families across the world. This loss alone would have been enough to crush the spirits of many, but for Estella, it was only the beginning of a long and difficult journey.

After her father’s passing, Estella’s mother, who suffers from both mental illness and epilepsy, became the sole provider for their family. To make matters worse, she too was diagnosed with HIV and has since been managing her illness with the help of medications. Sadly, instead of receiving support from her in-laws, Estella’s mother was accused of killing her husband through witchcraft—a harmful and heartbreaking accusation that stemmed from ignorance and fear. This false claim was used to justify her brothers-in-law’s cruel decision to chase her and the children from their matrimonial home, abandoning them in their time of greatest need.

With nowhere to turn, Estella and her family found refuge with their sickly grandmother. While she provided them with shelter, her advanced age and deteriorating health—exacerbated by diabetes and high blood pressure—meant that she, too, needed care. The weight of these responsibilities fell heavily on young Estella, who watched as her world crumbled around her. Yet, even in the face of this enormous burden, she never gave up.

Through the kindness of neighbors and well-wishers, Estella and her siblings were introduced to Makindu Children’s Center, who enrolled the children immediately, fed them, addressed their medical needs, and helped them survive. Their situation was dire, but they were not entirely without hope. Makindu Children's Center and Program helped guide them through their darkest times. Estella graduated from the Makindu Children’s Program in 2023, where she flourished academically and grew into a responsible, compassionate young woman. During school breaks, she often returns to the Center to volunteer and give back to the community that supported her.

Despite the many challenges she has faced, Estella has continued to excel in her studies. She is currently in her second year of university, pursuing a degree in Engineering & Technology—a field that holds the potential to change her life dramatically. Engineering is not just a profession for Estella; it represents hope for a future where she can lift her family out of the cycle of poverty that has plagued them for generations.

Estella is an outstanding student with immense potential. She has a sharp mind for problem-solving and an innate curiosity that has driven her to succeed in a demanding academic environment. Her professors praise her dedication and hard work, noting that she is always eager to learn and improve. But more than just academic success, Estella has a heart full of compassion and a desire to use her education to benefit others. She dreams of one day building infrastructure that will improve access to education, healthcare, and clean water for underserved communities like her own.

We invite you to be part of Estella’s journey. Every contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference. With your help, Estella can graduate, find stable employment, and create a life of dignity and security for herself and her family. More than that, she can inspire others in her community to pursue their dreams, showing them that no matter how difficult life may be, it is possible to rise above it.

In a world where so many are in need, Estella’s story reminds us of the power of education to change lives. Let’s empower Estella to continue her journey, to achieve her dreams, and to make the world a better place.
Thank you for considering this appeal. Together, we can help Estella reach her full potential.