This archive report was first published on 9 November 2019.
A Mother's Journey: From Streets to Strength ¶
Rebecca Atieno, a 20-year-old mother, has overcome incredible challenges to find strength and hope in her life. Her remarkable story begins on March 12, when she gave birth to her daughter, Hope, in a ditch at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
Atieno's journey to motherhood was marked by hardship and struggle. Born to a second wife in a family in Ahero, Kisumu, she felt unwanted growing up. Her mother's sudden death in 2014 and her father's subsequent death in 2017 left her without support or resources.
With only her Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) certificate, Atieno boarded a bus to Nairobi, seeking a better life. However, she soon found herself living on the streets, scrounging for food and shelter. It was during this time that she discovered she was pregnant.
Despite the challenges, Atieno persevered, finding temporary housing with a kind-hearted woman in Bahati and eventually landing a waitressing job in a makeshift hotel. However, her life took a turn for the worse when the hotel was demolished, and she was left without a place to live.
With no ID and limited job opportunities, Atieno continued to struggle. However, she refused to give up, and it was during this time that she gave birth to her daughter at Uhuru Park.
Thanks to the kindness of a stranger who posted her story on social media, Atieno received help and support from a local woman, Christine Nkatha, who took her and her daughter in and provided them with a loving home.
Today, Atieno is stronger and more determined than ever. She is working towards obtaining her ID and hopes to one day return to school to study cosmetology. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience and hope in the face of adversity.
