LITTLE LAMBS, BIG HOPE - SERAH WANGUI

Serah Wangui was born on February 1st 2020 to James Kimani and Florence Wangari. She is the first-born child in a family of two children from Magina, Kiambu County.

Serah’s family lived in a small rented house where the entire family shared a single room that served as both the kitchen and bedroom. Serah’s father, James, sold roasted maize to motorists at a nearby matatu terminus in a place called Gichiengo. The business did not belong to him; he earned a commission of 7 Kenya Shillings (about 5 cents) for every piece of roasted maize he sold.

That small amount was not enough to support the family, so Florence helped by doing laundry for pay in the neighborhood. Even that work was not always available, and sometimes she would go an entire week without being hired.

Life was already hard for Serah’s family, but it was made even more difficult by domestic violence. Her father would beat her mother and, at times, even Serah, as he struggled with the frustrations of life.

The family could not afford to send Serah to school when she reached school-going age. Her mother learned about Little Lambs from neighbors whose children were already attending the program. She visited Little Lambs near Kijabe to find out if Serah could be admitted.

Serah’s situation was assessed, and she qualified to join Little Lambs. She was admitted in January 2025 and remains at the Green Pastures center, where she is now in PP2.

Serah is a joyful and sociable girl. She is hardworking in class and enjoys skipping rope, playing with hula hoops, and running.

It is also worth noting that the domestic violence in the home eventually became unbearable. Earlier this year, Serah’s mother made the difficult decision to leave her marriage. She rented a small, one-room house in the same village, but farther away from her husband’s home.

While life remains challenging, Serah is now in a safe environment where she can learn, grow, and experience the joy of being a child.

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