This archive report was first published on 12 September 2021.
From Street Urchin to Children's Hero ¶
Robert Mutunga, a 25-year-old Kenyan youth, has inspired many with his selfless dedication to helping homeless children in Nairobi. Born and raised in the city's Soweto slum, Robert's life took a dramatic turn in 2007 when he finished his KCPE and the country was hit by post-election violence.
With his parents becoming jobless, Robert had to relocate to the village, but he chose to stay in Nairobi and fend for himself. He began selling scrap at the age of 13 and, after two years of hustling, he had saved enough to pursue his passion for helping children.
Robert's journey to helping homeless children began when he was in the streets. He recalls that there were many children's homes in the neighborhood, and he always wanted to help in whatever way he could. He even spent time with the kids, sharing what little he had.
As he grew older, Robert's passion for helping others only intensified. He quotes the famous saying, 'If you think you are too small to be effective, then you have never been to bed with a mosquito.' This phrase became his guiding principle, and he knew that he was not born to exist but to live a purposeful and impactful life.
After finishing his high school, Robert found himself volunteering at Emmanuel New Hope Rescue Centre, a children's home in Kayole, with no clue where to get finances from. However, he was lucky to work for Safaricom promotions, which played a great role in his pursuit.
Despite the challenges he has faced, Robert remains committed to his cause. He believes that 'if you want to change the world, first change yourself and how you view people.' He concludes, 'Lighting another person's candle doesn't make you less bright.'
