13-Year-Old Girl Forced to Work in a Dumpsite to Support Family’s Education Expenses
A young girl named Gloria Amisi, aged 13, residing in the impoverished Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums of Nairobi, has been compelled to work in a dumpsite to help her family make ends meet.
Due to financial constraints, Gloria’s mother, Rebecca Andeso, is unable to afford her school fees, forcing Gloria to seek alternative means of income.
Gloria has spent the past three months collecting reusable items from the dumpsite and selling them to supplement her mother’s income.
“Sikuweza kuwa na pesa iliyokuwa ikihitajika sasa ndio maana ako nyumbani ,” Rebecca Andeso, Gloria’s mother, said.
The earnings are vital for supporting her two siblings who are currently studying in Form One and Form Two.
Gloria should be in Grade Seven at Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School, but her family’s financial situation has prevented her from attending.
Rebecca Andeso explains that she lacks the necessary funds to send Gloria to school, which is why she remains at home.
Despite the government’s directive to allow students without fees to attend school, Andeso’s efforts to persuade the school administration to readmit her daughter have been unsuccessful.
"Nimeenda huko mara tano, head teacher akinirudisha…ananirudisha ananiambia nitafute pesa…Tukaenda kwa chifu asaidie lakini tukafika shuleni tena akakataa,” Andeso explained.
She has approached the school multiple times, only to be turned away and told to find the Ksh.22,000 required funds.
Andeso also sought assistance from the local chief, but the school continued to refuse Gloria’s admission.
Financial Hardships Extend to Siblings
Andeso’s financial difficulties extend beyond Gloria’s education. She can only afford a few exercise books for her children, and they have not been able to attend school for the past four months.
"Kuna huyo mwenye ako Form Two, ni ile tu ni struggle juu chini ndio niweze kupata hiyo pesa. Kuna mwenye ako Form One, Mungu alisaidia nikapata ile nilipata akaenda,” her mother stated.
While one of her children in Form Two managed to secure some financial assistance, the cost of education for her other child in Form One remains a burden.
Despite her current situation, Gloria aspires to become a doctor and lift her family out of poverty.
Although she despises her current work, she expresses her strong desire to pursue her dreams and help her mother.
"Sipendi kufanya hiyo kazi lakini nataka niingie shule ili nikuwe daktari niinue maisha ya mama yangu,” she said.
Citizen Digital reached out to the school’s management for a response.
The head teacher, Eunice Oluoch, stated that she has been in contact with Gloria’s family to devise a plan to assist her in returning to school.
However, the Ministry of Education’s Principal Secretary, Belio Kipsang, announced that the ministry requires a minimum of Ksh.15.3 billion to adequately fund Junior Secondary Schools.
The story of Gloria Amisi sheds light on the plight of children from impoverished backgrounds who are forced to work instead of receiving an education.
Despite the government’s directive, financial challenges and a lack of support from the school have prevented Gloria from attending school.
The situation highlights the urgent need for increased funding in the education sector to ensure that all children have access to quality education and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
13-Year-Old Girl Forced to Work in a Dumpsite to Support Family’s Education Expenses